I kan nought do but cryë & compleyne,
That charite nought rekkith of my peyne.
Line 42
(7)
Whi saith Powle, that othere yiftes alle
Line 43
Schul failë here, but only charite
A-bydyng is, for he kowdë nought falle.
Whethir this be soth? but nay, as it semith me,
He wold[ë] than myne [good] aduócat be, [folio 9]
Line 47
And somwhat say [MS. say I] to helpë in myne cause,
For I kan nother spekë word ne clause.
(8)
I am adred that charite is deed,
Line 50
And slayne in erthe, of wikked[ë] men there,
Withowt[en] eyre or issue of hire seed,
Left here on highë:—lo, this is my fere;
And if I wiste that sche on lyvë were,
Line 54
I wold not spare to callë and [to] crie,
If I hire, in oný place myght a-spie.
Line 56
(9)
O charite, so good & so gracious!
Line 57
Thu hast be euere to tho þat have nede!
I that am in this brikë perilous,—
That, in myne schippe, my self[ë] for to fede
Haue I no bred now of thin almësdede,—
Line 61
Somwhat thu helpe, myn hunger to abate,
Havyng reward vnto my pouer astate.
Line 63
(10)
I meanë thus: if ony part of grace
Line 64
Reserued be, in tresoure or ellës where,
That thu, for me purveyë and purchase
Wolde vouchësaff, gret wondere but there were
I-nowgh for me: nought ellës I require;
Line 68
Do somwhat, than, aftir thi propirte,
And schewe whi thu art cleped charite.
Line 70
(11)
But now, allas, ful weel I may recorde,
Line 71
Whil I had myght and space of tyme I-nowgh,
Of this mattere, towchid I no word,
Ne, to seint, I tho my self[ë] drowgh,
