The Man of Law's Tale
Folio 75v
30 of 31 folios
For he nought helpeþ needeful in here neede
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¶ Herkne what is þe menyng of þe wise
Bet is to deyen þan haue Indigence
Thi self neighebore wile þe dispise
If þou be pouer far wel þi reuerence
Yet of þe wise man tak þis sentence
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Aƚƚ þe dayes of pore men ben wikke
Be war þerfore or þou come in þat prikke
¶ If þou be pouere þi broþer hateþ þe
And aƚƚ þi freendes fleen fro þe allas
O Riche marchantz ful of wele be
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O noble prudent folk as in þis cas
Your bagges ben nougħt filled with ambes aas
But with Sis Cynk þat renneþ for ȝour chaūce
At Cristes masse merye may ȝe daunce
¶ Ye seeken lond and see for ȝour wynnynges
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As wys folk þat knowen aƚƚ thestat
Of regnes ȝe ben fadres of tyþinges
And tales bothen of pees and of debat
I were right now of tales desolat
Nere þat a marchant gon is many a yere
35
Me taught a tale which as ye schal heere
¶ In Surrye whilom dwelt a companye
Of Chapmen riche and þer to sad and trewe
That wyde where sente here spicerie
Cloþes of gold and Satyn riche of hewe
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Here chaffare was so thrifty and so newe
That euery wight haþ deynte to chaffare
With hem and eek to sellen hem here ware
¶ Now fil it þat þe maistres of þat sort
Han schapen hem to Rome for to wende
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Were it fo chapmanhode or for disport
Non oþer message wolde þey þider sende
But comen hemself to Rome þis is þe ende
And in swich place as þougħt hem auantage
For here entente þei take here herbergage