  Rightwisenes chastised al robbours, By egall balaunce of execucion, Fraud, falsË mede, put backward fro jurours, True promes holde, made no delacioun; Forswearing shamed durst enter in no toun, Nor lesingmongers, because Attemperaunce Had in that world wholy the governaunce. That golden world could lovË God and drede, All the seven dedes of mercy for to use, The rich was ready to do almËs dede, Who asked harbour, men did him not refuse; No man of malice would other tho accuse, Had in that world wholy the governaunce. The true marchant by measure bought and sold, Deceipt was none in the artificer, Making no balkes, the plough was truely hold, Abacke stode Idlenes, farre from labourer, Discrecion marcial at diner and supper, Content with measure, because Attemperaunce Had in that world wholy the governaunce. Of wast in clothing was that time none excesse; Men might the lord from his subjectËs know; A difference made twene povertie and richesse, Twene a princesse and other statËs lowe; Of horned boastËs no boast was tho blowe, Nor counterfeit feining, because Attemperaunce Had in that world wholy the governaunce. This golden world long whylË dyd endure, Was none allay in that metall sene, Tyll Saturne ceased, by record of scripture, Jupiter reygned, put out his father clene, Chaunged obrison into silver shene, Al up so downe, because Attemperaunce Was set asyde, and loste her governaunce. NOTE."The Falls of Princes," from which this is an extract, was printed in folio in 1558. Its complete title is, "The Tragedies gathered by Jhon Bochas of all such Princes as fell from theyr Estates throughe the Mutability of Fortune since the creation of Adam until his time; wherin may be seen what vices bring menne to destruccion, wyth notable warninges howe the like may be avoyded. Translated into English by John Lidgate, Monke of Burye." |
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