This jolly prentice with his master bode, Till he was nigh out of his prenticehood, All 1388 were he snubbed 1389 both early and late, And sometimes led with revel to Newgate. But at the last his master him bethought, Upon a day when he his paper 1390 sought, Of a proverb, that saith this samë word; Better is rotten apple out of hoard, Than that it should rot all the remenánt: So fares it by a riotous servánt; It is well lessë harm to let him pace, 1391 Than he shend 1392 all the servants in the place. Therefore his master gave him a quittánce, And bade him go, with sorrow and mischance. And thus this jolly prentice had his leve: