(458)
¶ The pitous herte of Marcus Marcellus
Line 3200
Wele worthy is, be drawen in memórie; [¶ De pietate Marci Mar|celli.]
He may ensample and mirrour be to vs;
ffor, as Valerie writith in a storie,
Whan þis Marc obtened hadde [opteynede R (? hadde obtened).] þe victórie
Line 3204
By segë leyde to men of siracuse,
As I schal seyn, he heuyly gan [gan R, om. H.] muse.
Line 3206
(459)
¶ He wente hym vp on hy vppon a toure, [tree R.]
Line 3207
Where he byholdë myghte al þe citee,
And how fortune hadde schape hym þat honoure. [that he did see R.]
With hertë tendre than considered he,
And hadde of folkës dethës suche pitee,
Line 3211
That from wepynge he myghte hym not restreyne;
Al his tryumphë was to hym but peyne.
Line 3213
(460)
¶ Who-so hadde stonden by hym in þat tyde,
Line 3214
And hym avisëd on his contenaunce,
Wolde han supposëd that þat othir side
Rathir hadde I-putte hym to þe outraunce,
Than he hadde had of hem so fair a chaunce:
Line 3218
O worthy knyght! who schal þi steppës sue?
Thi súccessour halt hym to longe in mue. [folio 56a]
Line 3220
(461)
¶ O citee! syn fortune was contrarie
Line 3221
To the in o part, yit hir gentilnesse
Purveyëd þe a bénigne aduersarie.
Thanke hir of þat, for thy disese is lesse,
ffalle in þe daunger of lambës humblesse,
Line 3225
Than he with cruel woluës al to-frete;
A lamb is naght so gredy on hir mete.
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