(219. Hoccleve.)
¶ "And where þis bribour haþ no peny [peny R, om. H.] payed
Line 1527
In oure office, he seiþ be-hynde our bak,
'He payde, I not what': þus ben we bytrayed,
And disclaundrid, and put in wyte and lak,
fful giltëles; & eeke by swiche a knak
Line 1531
Þe man for whom þe suyte is, is deceyuëd,
He weneþ we han of his gold receyuëd.
Line 1533
(220. Hoccleve.)
¶ "fful many swychë púrsuours þere ben,
Line 1534
Þat for vs take, & ȝeue vs nat a myte:
Þis makiþ vs þat we may neuer þeen.
Eek where as lordës bydde hir men vs quyte,
Whan þat we for hemself laboure and write,
Line 1538
And ben a-lowëd for oure payëment,
Oure handes þer-of ben ful Innocent.
Line 1540
(221. Hoccleve.)
¶ "I seyë nat, al [I sey not alle R.] lordes men þus do [folio 28b]
Line 1541
Þat sue vnto oure court; but many, I seye,
Han þus don oftë. lo! my fadir, lo!
Þus bothe oure þanke & lucre gon a-weye:
God ȝeue hem sorowe þat so with vs pleye!
Line 1545
ffor we it fynden ernest at þe fulle;
Þis makyth vs of oure labóur to dulle.
Line 1547
(222. Hoccleve and Beggar.)
¶ "Now, fadir myn, how þinkiþ yow here-by?
Line 1548
Suppose ye not þat þis sittiþ vs [ye that this sitteth vs not R, sit H.] sore?"
"Yis, certes, sonë, þat ful wel wote I;
Hast þou seyde, sonë? wolt þou aght sey more?"
"Nay, sir, as now; but ay vp-on your lore
Line 1552
I herkne as bisily as I [I R, om. H.] best can."
"Sonë, þan lat vs spek as we by-gan:
Line 1554
