(622)
¶ Thei opneden þe chist, & fonde riȝt nought
Line 4348
But a passyngly greet sergeántës mace,
In which ther gaily made was and I-wrought
This samë scripture: "I, Iohn of Canace,
Makë swhich testament here in þis place;
Line 4352
Who berith charge of othir men, & is
Of hem despisëd, slayn be he with this."
Line 4354
(623)
¶ Among folïes all is noon, I leue, [folio 76b]
Line 4355
More þan a [a R, om. H.] man his gode ful largëly
Despende, in hopë [hope R, hop H.] men wol hym releue
Whan his gode is despendid vtterly [vttirly R, viterly H.] ;
The indigént men setten no þing by.
Line 4359
I, Hoccleue, in swich [suche R, swich H.] case am gilty, þis me touchith, [See "am gilty / þis me touch / ith."]
So seith pouert, which oon foole large him vouchith. [Hoccleve de seipso. [R. has Nota de prodigalitate Occleve.] (In a later hand.)]
(624)
¶ ffor þogh I neuer were of hy degree,
Line 4362
Ne haddë [hade R, had H.] mochil gode ne gret richesse,
Ȝit hath þe vice of prodigalite
Smerted me sore, & done me hevynesse.
He þat but litil hath, may done excesse
Line 4366
In his degree, as wel as may þe riche,
Thogh hir dispenses werë nat elyche. [be not eliche R, were not lyche H.]
Line 4368
(625)
¶ So haue I plukked at my pursë [purses R, purs H.] strynges,
Line 4369
And made hem often for to [for to R, for H.] gape & gane,
Þat his smal stuf hath take hym to his wynges,
And hath I-sworne to be my welthës bane,
But if releef a-way my sorowe plane;
Line 4373
And whens it comë shal, can I nought gesse,
Mi lorde, but it procede of your hynesse.
Line 4375
