DXXVI.
Mortuis non est detrahendum.
We rede ex 'Legenda Lombardica,' how þat in þe monasterie of Saynt Gregor þer was a monk þat was so vexid̛ with þe axis at he was like to dye. & his brethir said̛ þer psalters aboute hym̛, trowyng þat he sulde dye. And when̛ þai had done þai began̛ to bakbyte hym̛. So yitt hym̛ happend̛ to turn̛ agayn̛ vnto lyfe, & he lifte vp his ene & smylid & said̛; "God forgyf you, brethir! Whi wolde ye bakbyte me? Ye hafe done vnto me a grete impediment, ffor I was bothe at onys accusid̛ bothe of you & of þe devuƚƚ and I wiste neuer to whethur dissease I might ansswer. And þerfor̛ when ye se any man̛ bown̛ to dy, bakbite hym̛ not, bod hafe compassion̛ on̛ hym̛, at ye make hym̛ no lettyng when̛ he commys afor̛ þe strayte iugement of almyghtie God̛."