The tragedies, gathered by Ihon Bochas, of all such princes as fell from theyr estates throughe the mutability of fortune since the creacion of Adam, vntil his time wherin may be seen what vices bring menne to destruccion, wyth notable warninges howe the like may be auoyded. Translated into Englysh by Iohn Lidgate, monke of Burye.

¶ Acommendation of Obe∣dience.

VErtue of vertues most of excellence, Which y^• haue most souerain suffisaūce, Is the vertue of true obedience, Whiche set all thyng in ryghtfull gouernaūce, For ne were not this prudent ordinaunce, Some to obey and aboue to gye, Destroyed were all worldly policy.

Where that vertue and hygh discrecion Auoyded haue from them all wylfulnes, By titles onely of dominacion Truely lenyng vpon rightwisnes, Wrong and errours iustly to redresse, Of trouth I may right well affirme and say, The people mekely their biddyng shold obey.

This noble vertue of faythfull obeysaunce, Established vpon humilitie, Whiche includeth no double variaunce, In ail regions and in eche countrey, Causeth welfare, ioye, and prosperitie: And as vertue chefe and souerayne, All vycious ryote it playnly doth restrayne,

Obedience eke as men may se Falsenes exileth and all rebellion, For by temperaunce, ryght, and equitye, Stant the welfare of euery region, For the mekenes and lowe subiection, Of comonties, holde vp the regalies, Of lordshyppes and of all monarchyes.

And no doubt whan lorshyps of entent, Busy ben the souerayne lorde to queme, To their subiectes do right iudgement, In conscience as ryght and reason deme, Than shall their crowne and dyademe, Vpon their heade perseuer and freshly shyne, And make subiectes to their biddyng encline.

Thus obeysaunce playnly at a worde, In such as haue lordshyp and souerayntie, Done of entent to their souerayne lorde, Shall cause them raygne in long prosperitie, And their subiectes of humilitie, For their noble famous gouernaunce, Aye to be ready vnder their obeysaunce.

For who y^• serueth the lorde of lordes all, And hath the people in his subiection, God wyll kepe him that he shall not fall, Longe preserue his domination, But agaynwarde whan wisdome and reason Ben ouermastred with sensualitie, Farewell the floures of their felicitye.

Obedience blunteth the sharpenes, Of cruell swordes in tyrantes handes, And mekenes appeaseth the felnes, Of hasty vēgeaunce, breketh on two y^• bōds: Eke pacience set quiete in londes, And where these thre contune in comonties, Longe peace perseuereth •• kyngdoms & cities

Obedience dothe also restrayne, Conspyrations and false collusions, Whan she stant vnparted, not at wayne, There is no dreade of no discencions: For she combineth the true opinions, In the harts of people, ful wel afore prouided Vnder prynces to stand whole vndeuided.

Where princes be meke, hūble, and debonayre Toward God of whole affection, Theyr subiectes be gladly not contrayre, In their seruice, by no rebellion: For there is founde no deuision, But head & membres eche for his partye, Be so gouerned by prudent policy.

Contrariously Saule was put downe, Abiect of God for his obstinacy, Put from his scepter, his crowne, his region, Of Israell lost all the monarchy, For he lyst not make his alye, Of frowardnes and wylfull negligence.

This noble vertue called obedience.

For as it longeth in kingdomes and cityes, Vnder a keye of true beneuolence Princes and kynges to gouerne their sees: So apperteyneth due reuerence To their subiectes, by obedience To obey their lordes as they be of degre By title of right in euery comontee.

For obeysaunce if it be discerned, (With Argus eyen, who that taketh hede) As ryght requyreth is not well gouerned Whan the membres presume agayn the head: Of gouernaunce there is no perfite spede, From vnitie they go a froward wey, Whan subiectes their princes disobey.