(666)
¶ Largesse is 'liberalitee' y-callid,
Line 4656
And likned is vnto hem þat ben free;
But he þat auaricious is, is thrallid
To moneie. a kyng moot algatës flee
A chynchës hertë, for his honeste
Line 4660
And for þe profyte, as I seide aboue, [folio 82a]
Of his peple, if he þynke wynne here loue.
Line 4662
(667)
¶ Victorie and honour, he schal hym purcháse [¶ Prouerbi|arum xxij. Victoriam & honorem ad|quiret qui dat munera. Item: ne dicas amico tuo 'vade & reuertere, & cras dabo tibi,' cum statim possis dare.]
Line 4663
That is of yiftës fre; but war alway
That he naght tarye ne delaye his grace;
Dryue it noght forth vnto anoþer day,
Whan, if hym list, anon he yeuë may;
Line 4667
Yeue it as blyue, hys þank is wel þe more;
This vouche I on holy scripturës lore.
Line 4669
(668)
¶ The vertu is of liberalitee, [¶ De virtute liberalitatis.]
Line 4670
Yeue and dispende, in place and in tyme [n tyme and place R.] due;
Right as largessë dooth in swiche degree,
They bothë moot in hir conseytes chue
Where is good yeue, [to yeue R.] and wherë to eschue,
Line 4674
The persone, and þe somme, and causë why:
What þey [ye R.] yeuen, yeue it vertuously.
Line 4676
(669)
¶ But it naght longeth to þe liberal
Line 4677
To yeue hym good þat vseþ flaterie;
His menynge and his éntencïoun final
On fals plesance, is set for briberie;
He is þe verray cofre of treccherie;
Line 4681
His doublenesse his lord doun ouerthroweþ;
The seed of his confusïoun he soweþ.
Line 4683
