(3)
¶ Ȝif suche a tale-tellere were,
To a kyng apayre a mannys name,
The kyng shulde boþe partyes here,
And punysche þe fals for defame.
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Þan fals men wolde ases for blame;
ffor falshed, body and soule it sles.
ffalshed endes ay in shame;
And trouþe, in worschipe and in pes.
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(4)
¶ Whanne lawe is put fro riȝt assise,
And domes man made by mede,
ffor fawte of lawe ȝif comouns rise,
Þan is a kyngdom most in drede.
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ffor whanne vengeaunce a comouns lede,
Þei do gret harm er þey asses.
There no man oþer doþ mysbede,
That kyngdom shal haue reste and pes.
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(5)
¶ Whan craft riseþ aȝens craft,
In burgh, toun, or citee,
Þey go to lordes whan lawe is laft,
Whoche party may strengere be.
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But wyse men þe sonere se
By witles wille þey gedre pres,
Or lordis medle in foly degre,
Let lawe haue cours in reste and pes.
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(6)
¶ Ȝit þere is þe þridde distaunce
Bryngeþ a kyngdom in moche noyȝe:
Ofte chaunge of gouernaunce
Of all degre, lowe and hyȝe.
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A kyng may not al aspie.
Summe telle hym soþ, summe telle hym les.
Þe whete fro þe chaf ȝe tryȝe,
So mowe ȝe leue in reste and pes.
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