The morall fabillis of Esope the phrygian, compylit in eloquent, and ornate Scottis meter, be Maister Robert Henrisone, scholemaister of Dunfermeling

MORALITAS.

THis gentill Iasp, richt different of hew, Betakinnis perfite prudence and cunning. Ornate with mony deidis of vertew, Mair excellent, than ony tirthlie thing. Quhilk makis men in honour for to Ring. Happie, and stark to wyn the victorie Of all vycis, and Spirituall enemie.

Quha may be hardie, riche, and gratious? Quha can eschew perrell and auenture? Quha can Gouerne in ane Realme or hous Without science, ouer all thing I ʒow assure? It is riches that euer sall Indure, Quhilk Maith, nor moyst, nor vthes rust can froit, To mannis Saull it is Eternall m••••t.

This Cok desyrand mair the sempill co••••••, Than ony Iasp, may till ane fule be peir.

Quhilk at science makis bot ane mock and scorne, And na gude ca•• als lytill will ••e leir. His hart wammillis wyse argument to beir, As dois ane Sow to ••uhome men for the nanis In hir draf tro••ch wald saw precious stanis.

¶Quha is enemie to science and cunning, Bot Ignorance, that vnderstandis nocht? Quhil•• is s•• Nob•••••• s•• pre••ious, and sa ding, That it may not with eirdlie thing be ••ocht. Weill war that man ouer all vther that moch•• All his lyfe dayis in perfite studie wair, To get s••ien••••: for him neidis na mair.

Bot now (allace) science is tint and hid: We se••k it nocht, nor preis it for to find. Ha••f we riches, na better lyfe we bid, Of science thocht the Saull be bair and blind. Of this mater to ••peik, it wer bot wind. Thairfoir I ceis, and will na forther say. Ga seik the Iasp, qu••a will, for thair it lay.