(626)
¶ I me repent of my mysrewly lyfe [See Hoccleve's 'Male Regle' in his Minor Poems, I, p. 25.] ;
Line 4376
Wherfor, in þé wey of sauacïoun
I hope I be; my dotage éxcessyfe
Hath put me to swich castigacïoun,
Þat indigence hath dominacïoun
Line 4380
On me; o! had I help, now wolde I thryue,
And so ne did [so did R.] I neuer ȝit in my lyue.
Line 4382
(627)
¶ My yeerly guerdoun, myn annuite, [folio 77a]
Line 4383
That was me graunted for my long labóur,
Is al behynde, I may naght payëd be,
Whiche causeth me to lyuen [lyue H, liue R.] in langour.
O liberal prince! ensample of honour!
Line 4387
Vnto your gracë lyke it to promoote
Mi poore estat, and to my woo beth boote!
Line 4389
(628)
¶ And, worþy prince, at cristës reuerence
Line 4390
Herkeneth what I schal seyn, and be noght greued,
But lat me stande in your beneuolence;
ffor if myn hertës wil wiste were, and preeued,
How yow to loue it stirëd is and meeved,
Line 4394
Ye schulden knowe, y your honour and welþe
Triste and desire, and eek your soulës helþe.
Line 4396
(629)
¶ In al my book ye schul naght see ne fynde,
Line 4397
That I youre dedës lakke, or hem despreise;
But for I woldë þat ye hadde in mynde
Swich thyng as your renoun myghte vp areyse,
I write as my symple conceyt may peyse;
Line 4401
And trustith wel, al þat my pennë seith,
Proceedith of good herte and trewe, in feith.
Line 4403
