[ XXXVII. ]
(OF THE SAYINGS OF FOUR WISE MEN.)Addit. MS. 9066.
[leaf 54]
This is redde in the Cronycles of Rome, that in the tyme of Antynyane, the Emperour, in the Citee of Rome befille a grete pestilence of men and bestes, and grete hungre in aƚƚ the Empire. The comons risen̛ agayn̛ her lordes, and agayn̛ her Emperour. ¶ The Emperour desired̛ to wete the cause of the tribulacions and diseases, and disposed̛ [leaf 54, back] hym forto putte a remedie agayn̛ the forsaid̛ disease. he called̛ to hym .iiij. wise Philisephers, forto shew hym the cause of the grete vengeaunce; ¶ Of the whiche philisephers the first said̛ thus,
"gifte is domesman,and gile is chapman;the grete holde no lawe,and seruauntes have none awe."¶ The second̛ said̛,
"witte is turnede to trechery,and love into lechery;the holy day into Glotonye,and gentrie into vilanye."¶ The thirde said̛
"wise men are but scornede, and Wedowes be sore yernede;grete men are but glosedand smale men borne downe and myslovede."¶ The fourthe said̛,
"lordes wexen blynde,and kynnesmen ben vnkynde;dethe out of mynde,and trewthe may no man fynde."