Alphabet of tales : an English 15th century translation of the Alphabetum narrationum of Etienne de Besançon, from Additional MS. 25,719 of the British Museum / by Etienne de Besançon

DCCXXIII.
Societatem plurium non expedit sequi.

We rede in 'Legenda Longabordica' of one Richard̛, þat was kyng of Freseland̛, when̛ he sulde be crystend̛ in þe yere of our̛ Lorde ccc, & he had putt þe tone fute in to þe funte [MS. has another and here.] , he helde þe toder oute, & sayd̛; "Whar̛ er aƚƚ þe noble men̛ of my kyn̛? In heƚƚ or in Paradice?" And one tellid̛ hym̛ at þai wer in heƚƚ. And when̛ he hard̛ þat, he drew oute his fute of þe funt agayn̛ &

sayd̛; " Sanctius est plures quam pauciores sequi. It is more halie to folow many þan̛ few." And þus he was deseyvid̛ be a fend̛ þat promysid̛ hym̛ to gyff hym̛ þat day thrid day ane vnnumerable porcion̛ of gude. And on̛ þe thrid day he dyed sodanlie, & was perpetuallie dampnyd̛ for evur.