The Second Nun's Tale
Folio 82r
1 of 16 folios
Here bigynneth the nonnes tale of seint Cecilie
The minystre and the norice vn to vices
Which that men clepeth in englyssh ydelnesse
The porter at the gate is of Delices
To eschuwen and bi hir contrarye hir oppresse
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Thatt is to seyn bi leueful bisinesse
Wel ought we to doon our entente
Lest that the fende thurgh ydelnesse vs hente
For he that wyth his thousand cordes slye
Continuelly vs wayteth to biclappe
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Whan he may man in ydelnesse espie
He can so lightely cach him in his trappe
Til that a man be hent ryght bi the lappe
He nys nat war the fynde hath him in honde
Wel ought vs werche and ydelnesse wythstonde
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And though men dradden neuer for to dye
Yet se men bi resoun douteles
That ydelnesse ys roten slogardy
Of which ther neuer comth no good encres
And sen that slouth hir holdeth in a lees
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Oonly for to slepe and ete and drynke
And to deuouren al that other swynke
And for to putte vs from such ydelnesse
That cause is of so gret confusioun
I haue here doon my feythful bisinesse
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After the legende intranlacioun
Ryght of thi glorious lyf and passioun
Thow wyth thi gerlond wroght of the rose and lilye
Thee mene I maide and martyr seynt Cecilye