SI QUANTAS RAPIDIS. — Metrum 2
"Though Plente that is goddesse of rychesses hielde adoun
with ful horn, and withdraweth nat hir hand, as many richesses
as the
see torneth upward sandes whan it is moeved with ravysshynge
blastes, or elles as manye rychesses as ther schynen bryghte
sterres in hevene on the sterry nyghtes; yit, for al that,
mankende nolde nat cese to wepe wrecchide pleyntes. And al be it
so that God resceyveth gladly hir preiers, and yyveth hem, as
fool-large, moche gold, and apparayleth coveytous folk with noble
or cleer honours; yit semeth hem haven igeten nothyng, but alwey
hir cruel ravyne, devourynge al that they han geten, scheweth
othere gapynges (that is to seyn, gapyn and desiren yit after mo
rychesses). What brydles myghte withholden to any certeyn ende
the disordene covetise of men, whan evere the rather that it
fletith in large yiftes, the more ay brenneth in hem the thurst
of havynge? Certes he that qwakynge and dredful weneth hymselven
nedy, he ne lyveth nevermo ryche.
