¶ Heere bigynneth / the Chanons yeman his tale. [THE PREAMBLE.] [folio 198]
With this Chanon / I dwelt haue seuen yeer
And of his science / am I neuer the neer
Al that I hadde / I haue lost ther-by
And god woot so hath many mo than I
Ther I was wont to be right fressh and gay
Of clothyng and of oother good array
Line 725
Now may I were / an hose vp-on myn heed
And wher my colour / was bothe fressh and reed
Now is it wan / and of leden hewe
Who so it vseth / soore shal he rewe
Line 729
And of my swynk / yet blered is myn eye
Lo / which auantage / is to multiplie
That slidynge science / hath me maad so bare
That I haue no good / wher þat euere I fare
Line 733
And yet I am endetted so ther-by
Of gold / that I haue borwed trewely
That whil I lyue / I shal it quite neuere
Lat euery man / be war by me for euere
Line 737
What maner man / that casteth hym ther to
If he continue / I holde his thrift ydo
ffor so helpe me god / ther-by shal he nat wynne
But empte his purs / and make hise wittes thynne
Line 741
And whan he / thurgh his madnesse and folye
Hath lost his owene good / thurgh Iupartye
Thanne he exciteth / oother folk / ther-to
Line 744
To lesen hir good / as he hym self hath do [¶ Solacium miser|iorum &cetera.]
ffor vn-to shrewes / ioye it is and ese
To haue hir felawes / in peyne and disese
