[6-text p 219] [2420] and eek if so be þat it be impossible oþer may nouȝt gladly be performed oþer kepte
[2421] And take þis for a general reule / þat euery counsel þat is enformed so strongly þat it may nought be chaunged for no condicion þat may betyde; I say þat ilke consel is wicked.
[2422] ¶ Melibeus whan he hadde herd þe doctrine of his wijf dame prudence; he answerde in þis wyse. [2423] Dame quod he as ȝet vnto þis tyme ȝe han wel taught me as in generalle how I schal gouerne me and in þe chesyng and in þe wiþholdyng of my counseilours. [2424] But now wolde I fayn þat ȝe wolde condescende in special [2425] and telle me how þat likeþ ȝou or how þat semeþ ȝou by oure counseil|lours þat we haue chose in þis present neede
[2426] ¶ My lord quod sche I beseche ȝou in al humbles þat ȝe wolde nought wilfully reproeuen aȝein myn resons ne distempre ȝoure herte þough I speke þing þat ȝou displese [2427] ¶ ffor god woot as in myn entent I speke it as for þe beste for ȝoure honour and for ȝour profyt eeke [2428] ¶ And soþly I hope þat ȝoure be|nignite wol take it in pacience [2429] ¶ and trusteþ to me wel þat ȝoure counsel in þis cas ne scholde nouȝt as to speke proprely be called a counselynge but a mocioun or a meuyng of folye [2430] In which counseil ȝe haue herde in many a sondry wise
[2431] ¶ fferst and forþward ȝe han herd in þe assem|blyng of ȝour counsellours [2432] ¶ ffor ferst ȝe schulde haue cleped [folio 223b] a fewe folk to ȝoure counseille ¶ And after þat ȝe might haue schewed it to mo folk if it hadde be neede. [2433] But certes sodeinly ȝe han cleped to ȝoure coun|seil a gret multitude of poeple fulle chargaunt and ful annuyous for to heere [2434] ¶ And also ȝe haue herde furthere as ȝe schulde only haue cleped to ȝoure counselle ȝoure trewe frendes olde & wise [2435] ¶ ȝe han cleped also straunge folk ȝong folk fals flaterers and enemys
