(694)
¶ Bygynnynge of wisdom is, god to drede; [¶ Inicium sapiencie, timor domini.]
Line 4852
What kyng þat dredith god, is good and iust [folio 85b]
To his peple; beeþ swiche, my lord, I rede!
In [In R, I H.] loue and in awe of god, ficcheþ your lust;
Than be ye wys, and þan yow needës must,
Line 4856
Aftir your worldly sceptre transitórie,
In heuene regne in pérpetuel glorie.
Line 4858
[§ 14.] De consilio habendo in omnibus factis.
(695)
Now purpose I, to trete how to a kyng [This page is illuminated.]
Line 4859
It nedeful is to do by consail ay;
With-outen whiche, good is he do no þing;
ffor a kyng is but a man soul, parfay!
And be [be R, he H.] his witt neuere so good, he may
Line 4863
Erre and mistake hym oþer while among,
Where-as good counsail may exclude a [all R.] wrong.
(696)
Excellent princë, in axynge of reed,
Line 4866
Descouereþ naght your wille in no maneere;
What þat ye þinkë doo, lat it be deed
As for þe tymë, lat no word appere;
But what euery man seith, wel herkne & here;
Line 4870
And yit whan good counsail is yeuen yow,
What ye do wolë, kepe it close y-now
Line 4872
(697)
Til þat yow lykë párforme it in dede;
Line 4873
And if it schal be don, lat it noght tarie,
ffor þat is perillous with-outë drede;
Ther is no þing may make a lond myscarie
Morë than swiche delay; ful necessárie
Line 4877
It is, a gode purpos parforme as bliue, [folio 86a]
As, if it naght be, [And that ye not R.] out of mynde it dryue.
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