The Multitext Edition > Oxford, Corpus Christi College MS. 198
The Physician's Tale
Folio 194v
2 of 10 folios
265
That it was by þassent of Apius
They wisten wel þat he was lecchorous
For which vnto þis Apius þey gon
And casten him in prisoū rigħt anon
Wher as he slougħ himself and Claudius
270
Þat seruant was vnto þis Apius
Was demed for to honge vpon a tre
But virgineus of his grete pite
Prayde for him þat he was exiled
And elles certes he hadde be bygyled
275
The remenant were honged more & lesse
Þat consented were to his cursednesse
Here may men se how synne haþ his meryt /
Be war for noman wot how god wol smyt
In no degre ne in which maner wise
280
The worm of conscience wol arise
Of wicked lyf þougħ it so preuy be
Þat noman woot of it but god and he
Wheþer he be lewed man or lered
He not how soone þat he may ben afeered
285
Þerfore I rede ȝou þis counseil take
Forsakeþ synne er synne ȝou forsake