The Tale

full often for too muchë speech Hath many a man been spilt, as clerkës teach; But for a little speech advisedly Is no man shent, to speak generally. My son, thy tonguë shouldest thou restrain At allë time, but when thou dost thy pain To speak of God in honour and prayére. The firstë virtue, son, if thou wilt lear, Is to restrain and keepë well thy tongue; Thus learnë children, when that they be young. My son, of muchë speaking evil advis’d, Where lessë speaking had enough suffic’d, Cometh much harm; thus was me told and taught; In muchë speechë sinnë wanteth nót. Wost thou whereof a rakel tonguë serveth? Right as a sword forcutteth and forcarveth An arm in two, my dearë son, right so A tonguë cutteth friendship all in two. A jangler is to God abomináble. Read Solomon, so wise and honouráble; Read David in his Psalms, and read Senec’. My son, speak not, but with thine head thou beck, Dissimule as thou wert deaf, if that thou hear A jangler speak of perilous mattére. The Fleming saith, and learn if that thee lest, That little jangling causeth muchë rest. My son, if thou no wicked word hast said, Thee thar not dreadë for to be bewray’d; But he that hath missaid, I dare well sayn, He may by no way call his word again. Thing that is said is said, and forth it go’th, Though him repent, or be he ne’er so loth; He is his thrall, to whom that he hath said A tale, of which he is now evil apaid. My son, beware, and be no author new Of tidings, whether they be false or true; Whereso thou come, amongës high or low, Keep well thy tongue, and think upon the crow.”