Þe herrere degre, þe more nys;
Þe gretter foly, þe more blame.
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After foly, folweþ þe shame;
Repreued of frendis, and scorned of fo,
After þy dede, ressayue þy name.
Eche man be war, er hym be wo.
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(2)
¶ Ȝif þou be kyngis chaunceller,
Kepe þe crowne hool in stat;
Ȝif þou be kyngis counselere,
Loke no stones þerof abate.
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Ȝif oþer wolde make þe kyng þe hate,
Or falsed ouer trouþe go,
Tak þy leue, and kisse þe ȝate.
Eche man be war, er hym be wo.
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(3)
¶ On a mowntayne, a sete may not be hyd,
Ne lordis werkis in no degre.
A lordis werkis, wiþ comouns is kyd,
Þat he doþ most in preuete.
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Gouernour of kyngdom or Cyte,
After þey lyue, men deme so.
For eche a werk, god [folio 113b] ȝeueþ a fe.
Eche man be war, er hym be wo.
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(4)
¶ A symple prest wole synge his masse
While his lyuyng is but smal.
As summe encrese, serue god þe lasse,
Wiþ benefices, ten myȝte lyue wiþ-al,
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And fynde þere noþer houshold ne halle,
Ne serue þe parische, but take hem fro.
Er god suche rekenyng calle,
Be tyme be war, er þey be wo.
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(5)
¶ Man, do resoun þouȝ þou be riche,
Ouer cite or town hast gouernaunce.
Loue al crafty folk yliche,
Mayntene no party in distaunce.
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