(330)
¶ Whichë þat clept and called was Lapsat,
Line 2304
Purpósynge [H R insert "him."] bete it to þe erthe adoun;
And or þat this kyng fully cam ther-at,
Ther was a Philosophere in þe toun,—
A man of excellent discrecïoun,
Line 2308
That to this kyng somtyme had maister be,—
fful sore abasshed of him & his meyne.
Line 2310
(331)
¶ Out of þe toun he spedde hym on his weie,
Line 2311
As hastely as þat he coude or myghte,
Toward þe kyng, of grace hym for to preie;
And ás swithe as þe kyng hadde of hym sighte,
He knewe him and his menynge; and on highte [Harl. MS. "zighte," hight R.]
He seide him þus: "by þe goddës I swere,
Al þi labour schal nat be worth a pere;
Line 2317
(332)
¶ At þi prayerë do wole I no þing."
Line 2318
This Philosophre of his ooth took good hede,
And seide, "o worthy conquerour and kyng,
Than prey I þe, vnto the toun þè spede,
And it destroyë bothe in lengthe & brede;
Line 2322
Haue on it no pitee, but al doun caste;
This pray I þe, þat may [þat it R.] be done as faste."
Line 2324
(333)
¶ And whan þe kyng his prayere vnderstood,
Line 2325
Al his angir and his irrous [errenous R.] talent
Refreynèd he; he woldë for no good
On þe toun vengë him, as he had ment;
He rathir chees be disobedient [folio 41a]
Line 2329
To his vengeáble wil, and his oth kepe,
Than be forsworn of þat he swoor so depe.
Line 2331
