GROUP G. FRAGMENT VIII.
§ 1. THE SECOND NUN'S TALE. LANSDOWNE MS. [THE PROEM.] [[No breaks between the stanzas in the MS.]]
Incipit prologus .2e. Monyalys [folio 152]
(1)
THe Ministre of þe Norice vn-to vices
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Whiche þat men clepen in englisshe ydelnesse
The porter of þe gate is of delices
To eschiewe. And bu hir contrarie hire oppresse
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That is to seine be leful besinesse
Wele ouhte we to done oure entent
Lest þat þe fende þoruhe .Idelnesse vs schent
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(2)
¶ For he þat wiþ his þousand cordes slyȝe
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Contenuely vs wayteþ to be-clappe
Whan he maie man in Idelnesse aspiȝe
He can so lihtly cache him in his trappe
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Til þat a man be hente riht be þe lappe
He is not waree þe fende haþe him in honde
Wele ouhte vs werche and ydelnesse wiþ stonde
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(3)
¶ And þouhe men dradden neuer for to deye
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Ȝit seen men wele be reson douteles
þat ydelnesse is rotin slogardye
Of þere comeþ neuere none encrese
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And seþens þat slouþe hir haldeþ in a lese
Onely to slepe and for to ete and drinke
And to deuowren al þat oþer swynke
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