(390)
¶ Euen as a soule is bodies lyflynesse,
Line 2724
And when þat it [it, om. H.] is twynëd from a wight [¶ Egidius in ijda parte primi libri capitulo xjo. Sicut anima est corporis vita, &c.]
The hert is dede, so farith right-wisenesse;
ffor whan a reme is reulid by hir myght,
Þen may the peple be ful gladde & lyght,
Line 2728
Þe londe may bathen in prosperite;
And lost is al, if þat absent be she.
Line 2730
(391)
¶ Ther was a lawe I-made vppon a tyme [¶ Nota bene! qualiter satis|iactum erat legi per quondam consulem Romanum.]
Line 2731
At romë, by the consoulës assent,
Þat who so werë gilty of þe cryme
Of áduoutrië, and were þer-in hent.
His eyen bothë shulden [bothe shuld R, both shuld H.] out be brent.
Line 2735
Now fel it so, a man þat sonë was
To a conseil, was take in þis trespas.
Line 2737
(392)
¶ And whan þat þe myshappe of þis persone
Line 2738
Was to þe peple knowën of þe toune,
Thei loueden his fadir so, echon,
And had him in so chere [grete R.] affeccioun,
Þei seyden þat non execucioun [execucioun R, excusacioun H.]
Line 2742
Shuld on þis sonë for this dedë falle,
And þe consulës so þei preyden alle.
Line 2744
(393)
¶ To [To R, Tho H.] which þe fadir gan replië þo, [folio 47b]
Line 2745
And þus allegëd he for him, & seyde [seyde R, leyde H.] :—
"Considereth, sires, I am oon of þo
Þat to þis lawe consentid and obeide;
And shulde I now þe samë breke," he seyde,
Line 2749
"ffor fauour of myself or any of myne?
Nay, sirrës, to þat may I not enclyne.
Line 2751
