(546)
¶ Thus seidë Ierom vn-to a virgyne:
Line 3816
"O doghter, syn thapostle sorë dredde [¶ Ieronimus ad filiam vir|ginem. 'O filia,' inquit, 'si apostolus castigauit corpus & in seruitutem redegit.']
Lust of his flesche, and dide his body peyne,
And heeld it lowe, and symplëly it fedde,
Wherthoruȝ þe vice of vnclennesse he fledde,
Line 3820
Of continence how maist þou siker be,
Of foodë delicat þat hast plente,
Line 3822
(547)
¶ And specialy now in þi youthës hete [hete R, hede H.] ?"
Line 3823
ffor who so wilneth to be contynent, [¶ Seneca. Si continenciam diligis, cir|cumcide su|perflua & voluptuosa.]
Many a lust superflu mot he lete,
And lykerous; by mesure, his talent
Mesúre he moot; whan resoun is regent
Line 3827
Of man, þan regneþ no delicacie;
Resoun, a man defendeth fro folye.
Line 3829
(548)
¶ The wynës delicat, and swete and strong,
Line 3830
Causen ful many an inconuenience;
If þat a man outrageously hem fonge,
Thei birien [birien R, biren H.] wit, and fórbeden scilence
Of conseil; thei outraien pacience, [folio 67a]
Line 3834
Thei kyndlen ire, and firen liccherie,
And causen both body and soulë dye.
Line 3836
(549)
¶ And trewëly [trewly H, truly R.] it is ful perilous
Line 3837
Vnto a princë, whiche þat hath a land
In gouernance, in þat be vicïous;
It nedeth him take heede vnto his hand,
Þat that vicë him combre not; for and
Line 3841
It do, he schal noght regnë but a throwe:
fful many a man haþ éxcesse ouerthrowe.
Line 3843
