(566)
¶ Him leuer was him selfen for to dye,
Line 3956
And his men liuë, þan se hem be-stad
So streitë, þat by violent maistrie
His foos hadde hem venqwissht or ouer-lad.
A-dayës now is non swiche chierte had;
Line 3960
Algatës I ne can nat seen it vsid,
Knyghtës ben loth þerof to ben accused.
Line 3962
(567)
¶ O worthi Prince! I truste in ȝour manhode,
Line 3963
Medlid wiþ prudence and discrecïoun,
That ȝe schulle makë many a knyȝtly rode,
And þe pride of oure foos thristen adoun. [Hoccleve's trust was fulfild at Agincourt, &c.]
Manhode and witt conquéren hy renoun;
Line 3967
And qwo-so [who so R.] lakkiþ outhir of þe tweyne,
Of armës wantiþ þe bridél and reyne.
Line 3969
(568)
¶ Yf [Yf R, Of H.] þe ordre of knyghthode be resceyuëd, [folio 69b]
Line 3970
fful nedeful is a man to be prudent,
Ellës þat host may lightly be disceyuëd
That is vnto his gouernance I-bent;
Presumpcïon [Presumptuous R.] is disobedient
Line 3974
Al day, and by wisdom not will him gie,
All iustifieth his obstýnacie.
Line 3976
(569)
¶ Ofte in batailës hath be seen or this,
Line 3977
A sydë suffred hath discomfiture,
Whiche an vnwys heed giëd hath amys.
What knyght on hym takith þat charge or cure,
If he in knyghtly honur schal endure,
Line 3981
Him oghte endowëd ben of sapience,
And haue in armës greet experience.
Line 3983
