(163. Beggar.)
¶ "He seyd: 'thogh I kyng be of siȝilë,
Line 1135
A potter was my fadir, is no nay;
How long I schal induren, or what while
In my prosperitee, nat knowe I may:
ffortunës variance I drede alway;
Line 1139
Ryght as sche madë me to clymbe on highte
Sodenly, so sche may me make alighte.
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(164. Beggar.)
¶ " 'I thynke alway of my natiuitee,
Line 1142
And of my poorë lenage & my blode;
Erthen vessél, to swich a man as me
fful sittyng is, and acceptable & good.'
O, fewë ben ther now left of þe brood
Line 1146
That he cam of; he loued bet profyt
Commun, than his a-vantage or delyte.
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(165. Beggar.)
¶ "How seystow by affrýcan Scipion?— [folio 21b]
Line 1149
Affrican clept, for þat he affryk wan;—
To pouert hadde he swych affeccïoun,
Of his ownë free wil & lust, þat whan
He dyed, no good had þis worthy man,
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Wher-with his body in the [in the erthe to R, vp on erth H.] erthë brynge,
But þe común cost made his enterynge.
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(166. Beggar.)
¶ "Be-forn þe senat was he bore on honde
Line 1156
Ones, after he affrik wonnen hadde,
That he was riche, as þey cowde vnderstonde,
Of gold: to which, with wordes sobre and sadde,
Answerde he þus: 'thogh I be feble & badde,
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The sooth is, vnto youre subieccïoun
I gat Affrik; of þat haue I renoun.
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