CAP. IV.
[verse 1] I turnede me to othere thingus, and I saȝ chalenges, that vnder the sunne ben don, and the teres of innocens, and no man coumfortende; ne to moun [mow E passim.] with|stonde the violence of them, benomen the helpe of alle. [verse 2] And I preisede more the [verse 3] deade than the liuende; and I demede hym welsumere than either, that ȝit is not born, ne saȝ the euelis that ben don vnder the sunne. [verse 4] Eft I beheeld alle the trauailis of men, and the besynesses I tooc heed to ben opened to the enuye of neȝhebore [the neiȝbour A.] ; and in that thanne vanyte, and wast besynesse is. [verse 5] The fool foldeth togidere his hondis, and eteth his [Om. AGH.] flesh, [verse 6] seiende, Betere is a litil handful with reste, than ful either hond with trauaile and tormenting of inwit. [verse 7] Beholdende I founde and an other vanyte vndir the [verse 8] sunne; oon is, and the secunde hath not; nouther sone, ne brother; and ner the latere to trauailen he ceseth not, and ner the latere his eȝen ben not fild with richesses; ne he thenketh aȝeen, seiende, To whom trauaile I, and begile my soule of goodis? In [And C.] that also ys vanyte, and werst tormenting. [verse 9] Betere is `that two [thanne two to C.] ben togidere than oon; forsothe thei han auauntage of ther fela|shipe. [verse 10] If oon shul fallen, of the tother he shal ben holden vp; wo to the alone, for whan he shal fallen, he hath not a man rerende hym vp. [verse 11] If two shul slepe, thei shul ben nurshid togidere; oon, what
