(4)
¶ When I wolde etc, nature for to sustayn,
Or I may haue it / myn appetite is past;
When I wolde slepë, to releve my payn,
I do but slumbre / for I most rise in hast;
Line 28
When I wolde speke / my lippes be closed fast;
When I wolde sporte with company also,
I dare not out / I am so sore agast:
Thus am I prentice to wrecchidnes & wo.
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(5)
¶ Whan I wolde pray, & serue my heuynly kyng,
(As euery creature is bounde of verrey right,)
Anon ther is some obstacle or thyng
That pullyth me thens, magre of my might;
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Soche is my liff, by day and eke by nyght;
And be-side this, my frende well fro my ffo
I can not knowe / this I, most wrecched wight, [folio 4b]
haue bounde me prentice to misery and wo.
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(6)
¶ Well is he, that can holde hym content
With a meane lifë, voide of gredynes,
Out of trouble leuyng, with litle rent,
beyng at home in perfite stedfastnes,
Line 44
Wher pompe nor envy is counted for mastres.
Soche a life, not I, but othir moo
Myght haue full wele; but ȝhit folissh wilfulnes
Doth bynde ffolkys prentise to wrecchidnes and wo.
Baradoun henricus traistulit istud opus þer semet ipsum.
