Three prose versions of the Secreta Secretorum / edited with an introduction and notes by Robert Steele and a glossary by T. Henderson

How that the Subiectes bene the tresure of Prynces, and lyke a gardyn̄ of dyuers tress growyn there-In. Capitulum Lijm.

wElle woste thou that thy Subiectis bene thy tresure, by whych thy roialme is confermyd. Thow shalt lewe well that thy subiectis bene lyke a gardyn̄, in wych bene dyuers maneres of trees, and thou shalt noght holde ham as londe berrynge thornes wythout frute. Whyle that thy Subiectis duryth in estate, shall dure the defense of thy realme and of thy Powere, And therfor the be-houyth hame to gouerne wel, and fro wronges ham defende, and that thou ham helpe in al hare nedys. And therfor the nedyth to haue a Constabil that shal not bene a destruere of thy trees, but a kepere and a Sauere. He sholde be full of good maneres and vertues, wyse and Sufferynge; And of [folio 63L] oone man make Suche a Suffreyn̄, ffor yf they were many, that

oone Sholde haue enuy to that othyr, that he sholde not ouerpasse hym, And therof myght many harmes cvme. Sum manere of baillifes bene that Shewyth ham trewe and profitabill to the kynge, And neuer-the-lasse they destrueth the Pepill, And euery of ham thynkyth in dyuers veyes by wych he may longe abyde in his office. And Such ther bene had, that oone thynge sayne, and anothyr thynkes done, and mayntenys and defendyth Sum evill dedis by hare yeftes: Of Suche hit is nedfull the to kepe.