Guye of Warrewik. [Caius MS., 107, page 1.]
SYTh THE TYME þAT CRYST IHESU,
Thorough hys grace & vertu,
Was in þis world bore
Of a mayd withowt hore,
And þe world crystendom
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Among mankynd first becom,
Many aduentures hath be wrouȝt
Þat all men knoweth nouȝt.
Therfore mēn shull herken blythe,
And it vndirstonde right swythe,
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For they that were borne or wee
Fayre aduenturis hadden they;
For euere they louyd sothfastenesse,
Faith with trewthe and stedfastnesse.
Therfore schulde man with gladde chere
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Lerne goodnesse, vndirstonde, and here:
Who myke it hereth and vndirstondeth it
By resoun he shulde bee wyse of witte;
And y it holde a fayre mastrye,
To occupye wisedome and leue folye.
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For why as of an Erle j shall yow telle,
How of hym it beefelle;
And of hys stewarde, withoute lesynge,
And of the stewarde sone, a fayre yonge thynge,
That gentil was and fayre bee-seen,
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And how he loued a mayden sheen,
