[6-text p 230] . . . . . [no gap in Dd. or Eg., or in any of the four Hodson MSS.] [2625] ¶ And ȝet seye I more / þat right as a singuler persone synneth / in takyng vengeaunce of anoþer man / [2626] right so synneth the Iuge / If he do no vengeaunce of hem þat it han disserued [2627] ¶ ffor Senek seith; thus / þat maister he seith is god / þat proueth shrewes [2628] ¶ and Cassidore seith A man dredeth to do outrages / whan he woot & knoweth / þat it displeseth to the Iuges & soueryns / [2629] And another seith; The [¶ Nota] Iuge þat dredeth to do right / maketh men shrewes [2630] ¶ and Seynt Poule þe Apostle seith in his epistle / whan he wryteth vn-to Romayns; That the Iuges beren nat the spere withouten cause / [2631] but þei beren it / to punysshe the shrewes & mysdoers / & for to de|fende the goode men [2632] ¶ If ȝe wyln thanne take venge|aunce of ȝoure enemys/ȝe shuln retourne or haue ȝoure recours/ to the Iuge þat hath the Iurisdiccion vp-on hem / [2633] and he shal punysshe hem / as the lawe axeth & requyreth
[2634] ¶ A quod Melibe; This vengeaunce liketh me no thyng / [2635] I bithenke me now & take hede / how fortune hath norisshed me fro my childhode / & hath holpen me to passe many a strong paas [2636] ¶ Now wol I assayen hire trowynge / with goddes help / þat she shal helpe me / my shame for to venge
[2637] ¶ Certes quod Prudence / if ȝe wol werke by my counseil ȝe shuln nat assaie fortune by no wey / [2638] ne ȝe ne shuln nat lene or bowe vn-to hire / after the word of Senek [2639] ¶ ffor thynges þat ben folily doon / and tho þat ben doon in hope of fortune/shuln neuere come to good ende [2640] ¶ And as the same Senek seith; The more cler / & the more shynynge þat fortune is / the more brotel & the sonner broke she is / [2641] trusteth nat in hire / for she nys nat stedefast ne stable / [2642] for whan þou trowest to be moost syker & seure of hire
