(306)
And álthough it be no manér of nede [folio 42b]
Line 2136
Yow to counseilë what to done or leve,
Yf þat you liste of stories to take hede,
Somwhat it may profitë, by your leve:
Line 2139
At hardest, when [whan that R.] þat ye ben in Chambre at eve,
They ben goodë to drivë forth the nyght;
They shull not harme, yf þey be herd a-right.
(307)
To your hyenessë, thynke it not to longe,
Line 2143
Though in that draught I somwhat wadë deepe;
The thewës vertuous that to it longe
Wacchen my gost, & letten him to slepe.
Now God in vertu mayntene you and kepe!
Line 2147
And I besechë your magnificence,
Yeve vnto me benignë audience.
Line 2149
(308)
For though I to the steppes clergyall
Line 2150
Of thisë clerkës thre [may] not atteyne,
Yit, for to putte in prees my cónceyte small
Goode wille me arteth take on me the peyne;
But sorë in me quappeth euery veyne,
Line 2154
So dredefull am I of myne ignoraunce;
The crosse of criste me spedë and auaunce!
Line 2156
(309)
Now, gracious prince, agayn that the corone
Line 2157
Honoure you shall with roial dignitee,
Beseche I hym that sitte on hye in trone,
That, when þat chargë réceyued han ye, [This line ends the extract from MS. Reg. 17 D vi. With the next line, Harl. 4366 begins again, and runs on to the end.]
Swych gouernancë men may feele and se [folio 38a]
Line 2161
In yow, as may ben vn-to his plesance,
Profet to vs, and your good loos avance.
Line 2163
