(187. Beggar.)
¶ "Sum riche is large, and his good mys despendith
In mayntenance of syn and harlotrie;
To swich despenses his lust hym accendith;
And on þat othir parte, his nygardie
Suffrith hys neghtburgh [neighbore R.] by hym sterue & dye,
Line 1307
Rathir þan with a ferthyng hym releeue: [releueeue H, releeue R.]
Tho two condicïons ben to repreue.
Line 1309
(188. Beggar.)
¶ "Whoso moost hath, he moost of schal answere;
On day schal comë, sum men schal par chaunce
Desire he neuere haddë ben rychere
Than heer han hadde his barë sustinaunce.
Whan þe day comth of ire and of vengeaunce,
Line 1314
Than schal men see, [see R, seeme H.] how in þis world, I gesse,
Richesse is pouert, and pouért richesse.
Line 1316
(189. Beggar.)
¶ "Whyl er, my sonë, tolde I naght to þe [folio 24b]
Line 1317
What hábundance in youth I hadde of good,
And how me blentë [blent H R.] so prosperitee,
Þat what god was, y nothing vnderstood?
But ay whil þat I in my welthë [welthe R, welth H.] stood,
Line 1321
After my flesshly lust my lif I ledde,
And of his wrechë no þing I me dredde.
Line 1323
(190. Beggar.)
¶ "And as I seid, he smot me with þe strook
Line 1324
Of pouert, in which I contynue yit,
Whos smert my good blood first so sorë sook,
Or þat I was acqueyntid wel with it,
Þat nye it haddë refte [refte R, reste H.] fro me my wit;
Line 1328
But sithen, thanke I god, in pacïence
I haue it take, and schal, for myn offence.
Line 1330
