(570)
¶ Experience and art in a [a R, om. H.] bataille,
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Of þe prudent knyght morë may profite,
Than hardinesse or forcë may auaille
Of him þat þerof knoweþ noght or lite.
Hardinesse, in effecte, nat worth a myte
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Is to victorious conclusïoun,
But wiþ hym medle art, wit, and resoun.
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(571)
¶ Whan reueled wit and manly [reuled . . manly R, reueled . . namly H.] hardynesse
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Ben knytte to-gidre, as ȝok of mariage,
Ther foloweþ of victórie þe swetnesse;
ffor to sette on hym whettith his coráge,
And wit restreyne his wil can & aswage
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In tymë duë, and in [due and R.] couenáble;
And thus tho two ioynt ben ful profitable.
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(572)
But be a knyght wys or coragëous, [folio 70a] [This page is illuminated.]
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Or haue hem bothe at onès at his lust,
If þat his herte of good be désirous,
On his manhode is ther but litel trust.
God grauntë knyghtès rubbe away the rust
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Of couetise, if it hir hertës cancre,
And graunte hem picche in souffisance hir ancre.
[§ 10.] Quod rex non debet felicitatem suam ponere in diuiciis.
(573)
Now, for as moche as magnanymyte
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May no foot holde, if þat þe herte of man
Gretly vnto richesse enclynëd be,
Than is þe bestë reed þat I see can,
A kyng þer-in delyte hym naght; for whan
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His herte is in þat vicë ficched hye,
Smal prowesse in hym wole it signifie.
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