I. Loue god, and drede.
[A.D. 1400]
[Digby 102, leaf 98.]
[21 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.]
(1)
Eche man be war, that bereth a state,
Of counseil of double entendement,
Of tyrauntrye, and preuey hate,
And synguler profit by fals assent,
Line 4
And ȝong to ȝyue Iugement.
In Euenhede, Lawe ȝe lede.
Worche be good auisement.
Man, knowe thy self, loue god, and drede.
Line 8
(2)
¶ Drede god, and knowe thy selue,
That ouer puple hast gouernaunce.
Noght for the loue of ten or twelue,
Brynge not a Comone in greuaunce.
Line 12
Make vnyte ther was distaunce.
Weye o lawe in euenhede,
Bytwen ffauour and vengeaunce.
Man, knowe thy self, loue god, and drede.
Line 16
(3)
¶ Eche mannys gouernours
Of hous or lordshipe or cite,
The puple is godes, and not ȝoures,
Thow they be soget to ȝoure degre.
Line 20
Gouerne the puple in vnyte,
In the comaundements that god bede,
And ȝe wole lyue in charite.
Knowe thy self, loue god, and drede.
Line 24
