Quod she, 'of folkës that ben sage,
I am of custom callëd 'Age,'
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Contrarïous (as it is kouth)
to hir that is ycalled Youth,
which whilom had (thou myghtest [[mayst St.]] se)
fresshë fetheres forto fle.
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but Age hath plukked hem away,
that vnnethë [[vnneth C., vnnethe St.]] gon I may;
my fet be now (who taketh hede)
hevy as they were of lede;
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I may not gon, but with labour,
and yet of Deth I am corour,
knowe [[knowne St.]] in Countres fer and ner.
'And [[St.]] who that is a massager, [folio 300b] [[messenger St.]]
Wher he holdeth his passáge,
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mut do truely his masságe, [[message St.]]
and the trouthë [[trouth C., truthe St.]] telle of ryght.
'I am vnweldy, ánd not lyght;
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and (to speke in wordës fewe,)
myn empty skyn doth wel shewe
what that I am; and ouer more,
thou mayst se, by my lokkës hore,
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and by ryvéls of [[in St.]] my viságe,
How that I am called 'Age,'
of whom, folkës that [[folk that C., folke that St.]] discerne,
may ful many thyngës lerne.
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'though that wasted be my blood,
I ha seyn bothe evel and good;
Preved (if I shal not feyne)
ende and gynnyng of bothe tweyne.
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age, in konnyng doth excelle;
who muchë seth, can muchë telle:
no man in konnyng (this, the chef,)
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withoutë [[without C., withe out St.]] syght may ha no pref.'
Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]
"To herë now, myn entent is, [Stowe folio 374b]
what betokne thi patentës;
and after that, make no delay,
but take thy leve, and go thy way."
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Age: [[St., om. C.]]
