[The Proem]
incipit fabula /
O Hateful harm condicion of pouert [on] [folio 72a]
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wiþ þurst wiþ cold wiþ honger so confoundyd
To asken help it schameþ in þin hert
If þou non aske wiþ neede so art þou woundyd
That verray neede vnwrappeþ al þy woundes hyd
Maugre þyn heed þou most for Indigence
Or stele or begge or borwe þy dispence
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Thow blamest crist and seyst ful bitterly
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he mys departeþ riches temporal
And þyn neyhebour þou wytes synfully
And seyst þou hast to litel and he haþ al
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Parfay seystow som tyme he rekne schal
whan þat his tayl schal brennen in þe gleede
For he nought helpeþ þe needful in his neede
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HErkneþ what is þe sentens of þe wyse
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Bet is to dye þan haue indigence
Thy selue neyghebour wol þe despyse [folio 72b]
If þou be pore far wel þy reuerence
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Ȝet of þe wyse man tak þis sentence
Alle þe dayes of pore men be wikke /
Be war þerfore or þou come to þat prikke /
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Ȝif þou be pore þy broþer hateþ þe
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And alle þy frendes fleeþ fro þe allas
O Riche marchaundȝ ful of wele be ȝe
O noble prudent folk as in þis cas
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Ȝoure bagges beþ nat fuld wiþ ambes aas
But wiþ sys synk þat renneþ on ȝour chaunce
At crystemasse wel mery may ȝe daunce
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