[6-text p 218] taken vpon him so heuy a charge þat he mighte [not] bere it [2405] ¶ For þe prouerbe saiþ he þat to mochel enbraceþ distreyneþ litel [2406] ¶ And Caton saiþ ¶ Assay such þing as þou hast power to done leste þe charge oppresse þe to sore þat þe bihoueþ to weyue þing þat þou hast bygonne [2407] ¶ And if so be þat þou be in doute. wher þou maist performe a þing or non; chese raþer for to suffre þan for to bygynne [2408] ¶ And Pieres alphouns saith If þou hast might to don a þing of which þou most repente it is bettre . . . . .[2409] . . . . . [no gap] halde þi tunge [folio 223a] stille þan for to speke [2410] ¶ Then may I vnderstonde by strenger resouns þat if þou hast power to performe a werk of which þou schalt repente þe ¶ Thenne is it bettre þat þou suffre þan bygynne [2411] wel seyn þey þat defenden euery wight to assaye a þing of which he is in doute wher he may performe it or non [2412] ¶ And after when ȝe haue examynd ȝoure conseill as I haue sayd biforn and knowe wel þat ȝe may per|forme ȝoure emprise; conferme it þenne sadly til it be at an ende
[2413] ¶ Now is it reson and tyme þat I schewe ȝou whenne and where-fore þat ȝe may chaunge ȝoure counsel|ours wiþouten ȝoure reprofe [2414] ¶ Soþly man may chaunge his purpos and his counseill if þe cause cesseth or whan a newe cause betydeþ [2415] ¶ For þe lawe seiþ vpon þinges þat newely betyden bihoueþ newe conseill [2416] ¶ And Senek saiþ ¶ If þin counseil come to þe eeres of þin enemys; chaunge þi conseill [2417] [Après, l'en peut changier son conseil] if so be þou fynde þat by errour or by ony oþer cause harme or damage may betyde [2418] ¶ Also of þin counsel be dishoneste oþer elles come of dishoneste cause; chaunge þin counsel [2419] ¶ For þe lawe saiþ/ þat alle bihestes þat ben dishoneste ne ben of no value.
