To execute malice, or elles vengeaunce,
On hem þat the besekë with instaunce.
Line 210
(31)
There is no lyon, ne cruel lyonesse,
Line 211
So fiers ne so dispietous of corage,
That hire malice attempren [? nil tempren] and oppresse
Ne will cessyn of hirë felle corage
To the, that lowëly hem selfe will wage
Line 215
With mekë hertë to the ground obeye: [folio 11b]
Such is the nature, as this clerkës say.
Line 217
(32)
I am the same that heighli hath mys-wrought
Line 218
A-geyn thi childe Ihesu, and also the;
Yit knowe I wel that "lyon" is he nought,
Nor thu no "lyonessë" [fiers] may be.
In you there is no malice ne cruelte;
Line 222
But mercie, pite, goodnessë & grace,
In you thei have hire veray propir place.
Line 224
(33)
Wherfore I schal the pray[ë] and be-seke,
Line 225
That thu, a-geyn me, nothing be amoeved,
With lowely hertë sith I my-self meke.
Though þat I have thi sone and the agreved,
Be the is alle my trust to be releuyd,
Line 229
And that thu schalt my quarell take an hande,
This foulë wightës malicë withstande.
Line 231
(34)
For weel I wottë, thu wold[est] renome,
Line 232
As for myne causë, wilt thu nought refuse,
Ne that thi grace thu wilt nought warnë me,
But that thu wilt thin ownë maner vse,
My quarell now to helpë and excuse,
Line 236
And be my socour in this perilows day,
Chasyng this foulë gost from me a-way.
Line 238
(35)
For alwey hath he be myn enemy
Line 239
Sith I was child, and [eke] tendre in yowthe.
Me think thu schuldest let[të] him for-thi
To prócede in his accïon as nowthe,
