[§ 9.] De Regis Magnanimitate.
(558)
Off magnanimite now wole I trete, [This page is illuminated.—G. E.]
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Þat is to seyn, strong herte or grete corage,
Whiche in knyghthode haþ stablisshed hir sete. [sete R, fete H.]
Ye, gracious Prince, of blode and of lynage
Descendid ben, to haue it in vsage;
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Mars haþ euer ben frend to ȝour worþi lyne;
Ye moot of kyndë to manhode enclyne.
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(559)
He þat is strong of corage and of herte,—
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Yf he lordschipës haue, or grete richesse,
Or þat fortunës stynge hym ouerthwerte, [fortune . . ouerthwert R, fortunes . . ouerthwete H.] —
Is alwey on [one R.] in welthe and in distresse;
He, lucre and los, weyeth in euenesse;
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He settiþ litel by good temperel;
How þe worlde schape, he takiþ it ay wel.
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(560)
¶ But for to speke of corage of a kyng, [folio 68b]
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he of his peple oweþ be so cheer,
That hir profet he moot for any þing
Promotë wit his myght and his power.
¶ And for his reme and him take him so neer,
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That vnto þe perilës of bataille
He moot him puttë, and in hem trauaylle,
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(561)
¶ And in diffense of holy chirche also,
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And for oure feith putte him in iupartye [iuperdie R, partye H.] ;
Othir causes ben ther but fewë mo,
Whi a kyng aughte to bataylë hym hye,
And in tho causes drede him not to dye,
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But kythe hym a good knyght a-mong his foos:
Thus wonne is magnanymyteës loos.
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