choose a virtuous living. Glad povert’ is an honest thing, certáin; This will Senec and other clerkës sayn. Whoso that holds him paid of his povért’, I hold him rich, though he hath not a shirt. He that covéteth is a poorë wight For he would have what is not in his might. But he that nought hath, nor covéteth t’ have, Is rich, although ye hold him but a knave. Very povért’ is sinnë, properly. Juvenal saith of povert’ merrily: The poorë man, when he goes by the way, Before the thievës he may sing and play. Povért’ is hateful good; and, as I guess, A full great bringer out of business; A great amender eke of sapience To him that taketh it in patience. Povert’ is this, although it seem elenge, Possessión that no wight will challénge. Povert’ full often, when a man is low, Makes him his God and eke himself to know: Povert’ a spectacle is, as thinketh me, Through which he may his very friendës see. And, therefore, Sir, since that I you not grieve, Of my povert’ no morë me repreve.
“Now, Sir, of eldë ye reprevë me: And certes, Sir, though none authority Were in no book, ye gentles of honoúr Say, that men should an oldë wight honoúr, And call him father, for your gentleness; And authors shall I finden, as I guess. Now there ye say that I am foul and old, Then dread ye not to be a cokëwold. For filth, and eldë, all so may I thé, Be greatë wardens upon chastity. But natheless, since I know your delight, I shall fulfil your wordly appetite. Choose now,” quoth she, “one of these thingës tway, To have me foul and old till that I dey, And be to you a truë humble wife, And never you displease in all my life: Or ellës will ye have me young and fair, And take your áventure of the repair That shall be to your house because of me— Or in some other place, it may well be? Now choose yourselfë whether that you liketh.”
This knight adviseth him, and sore he siketh, But at the last he said in this mannére; “My lady and my love, and wife so dear, I put me in your wisë governance, Choose for yourself which may be most pleasance And most honoúr to you and me also; I do no force the whether of the two: For as you liketh, it sufficeth me.” “Then have I got the mastery,” quoth