Up rose then an advocate that was wise, by leave and by counsel of other that were wise, and said, “Lordings, the need 3968 for which we be assembled in this place, is a full heavy thing, and an high matter, because of the wrong and of the wickedness that hath been done, and eke by reason of the great damages that in time coming be possible to fall for the same cause, and eke by reason of the great riches and power of the parties both; for which reasons, it were a full great peril to err in this matter. Wherefore, Meliboeus, this is our sentence; 3969 we counsel you, above all things, that right anon thou do thy diligence in keeping of thy body, in such a wise that thou want no espy 3970 nor watch thy body to save. And after that, we counsel that in thine house thou set sufficient garrison, so that they may as well thy body as thy house defend. But, certes, to move war or suddenly to do vengeance, we may not deem 3971