 | Here begynneth the boke of Cato both in Latyn and Englyshe |  |
[BOOK 4]
what wight that lust to lede in sekernesse
His life, & kepe his soule from accōbraunce,
Of vices, which again good the wys expresse
Bith ay at strife, come geue me good attēdāce
These preceptes kepe well in remēbraunce.
Enrolle thē, and printe thē in your mynde:
How to lyue well, the meanes shal ye fynde.
His life, & kepe his soule from accōbraunce,
Of vices, which again good the wys expresse
Bith ay at strife, come geue me good attēdāce
These preceptes kepe well in remēbraunce.
Enrolle thē, and printe thē in your mynde:
How to lyue well, the meanes shal ye fynde.
The foule talent of riches my child eschewe,
Resemble not the gredy Tantalus,
whose etick in hunger, is alway newe:
Among the fayre appels delicious.
no wat swete quēchith his thurst, right thus
To the vilaynes swalowe of couetise,
Lo all this worlde, not can ne, may suffice.
Resemble not the gredy Tantalus,
whose etick in hunger, is alway newe:
no wat swete quēchith his thurst, right thus
To the vilaynes swalowe of couetise,
Lo all this worlde, not can ne, may suffice.
Nature can with litle thing be content,
As indiete, a man should neuer charge
Him selfe with mete, for many mē ben shent:
For their receites be so greate and large.
Men se alday the litle bote and barge,
wyl drenche anone whā they be ouerfreght:
Cherisshe nature, but hurt her not wt weght
As indiete, a man should neuer charge
Him selfe with mete, for many mē ben shent:
For their receites be so greate and large.
Men se alday the litle bote and barge,
wyl drenche anone whā they be ouerfreght:
Cherisshe nature, but hurt her not wt weght
If thy thing thou happe to misgouerne.
without reason or any prouidence,
Than my childe of me this lesson lerne:
Sithe it was thy fortune suche expence
To make, but wyte it thyne own negligēce.
for fortune may neuer compelle the,
Thy good to spende but at thy liberte.
without reason or any prouidence,
Than my childe of me this lesson lerne:
Sithe it was thy fortune suche expence
To make, but wyte it thyne own negligēce.
for fortune may neuer compelle the,
Thy good to spende but at thy liberte.
Loue thy peny, as for thy cheuissaunce,
Not for the coigne, to hoorde it on an hepe.
For of the prynte, was made an ordynaūce,
Not for it shuld in cofres ly and slepe,
But for it shuld among the people lepe
In thaire eschaunge, and who it kepith inne
As for the forme, is subiect vnto sinne.
Not for the coigne, to hoorde it on an hepe.
For of the prynte, was made an ordynaūce,
Not for it shuld in cofres ly and slepe,
But for it shuld among the people lepe
In thaire eschaunge, and who it kepith inne
As for the forme, is subiect vnto sinne.
Whan thou hast plente, and arte pecunyal
I meane whan thou hast great suffisaunce
Of mony, foyson, and of helth but smalle
Than spend thy mony, and thy self avaunce
Kepe not thy coygne, and liue in greuaunce,
The sicke, hath syluer in full great excesse,
But of him selfe, he hath no likernesse.
I meane whan thou hast great suffisaunce
Of mony, foyson, and of helth but smalle
Than spend thy mony, and thy self avaunce
Kepe not thy coygne, and liue in greuaunce,
The sicke, hath syluer in full great excesse,
But of him selfe, he hath no likernesse.
Though somtime yu suffre great sharpnes
Of beeting, yet thy maistre is chastissement
Take well in gre with lowly humblenes,
Sith it is do but all in good entente,
To cause the to learne, & wisdome for to hēte
And though his wordes sowne full of ire:
Yet suffer thou thy talant of thy desire.
Of beeting, yet thy maistre is chastissement
Take well in gre with lowly humblenes,
Sith it is do but all in good entente,
To cause the to learne, & wisdome for to hēte
And though his wordes sowne full of ire:
Yet suffer thou thy talant of thy desire.
Also my chyld, thou shalt the occupie
To worke thynges that ben profitable
But loke thy wittes thou neuer applye,
To thing that may not be vaillable
To cast a thynge that is not pregnable
By wyt or strength, it is but greate errour.
Dispaired hope, is ende of suche laboure,
To worke thynges that ben profitable
But loke thy wittes thou neuer applye,
To thing that may not be vaillable
To cast a thynge that is not pregnable
By wyt or strength, it is but greate errour.
Dispaired hope, is ende of suche laboure,
whā thou shalt geue thā geue in frēdlywise,
frendly content a prayre or Requeste
for geuen in tyme, is geuen twyse,
Sith gladsom chere, makith giftes Richeste
who so geueth gladly & sone geueth beeste,
Loo no thing may frendes better conquere,
Than man to leue that he may forbere.
frendly content a prayre or Requeste
for geuen in tyme, is geuen twyse,
Sith gladsom chere, makith giftes Richeste
who so geueth gladly & sone geueth beeste,
Loo no thing may frendes better conquere,
Than man to leue that he may forbere.
whan a thynge thou haste in a coniecture
As in the conceyte, holdyng it suspecte
To discusse that thing anon do thy cure
for at the furst whan such thynges is reiecte
The rest is aftir easy to correct.
And thyng that at the furst is not set by,
Is often sayne to greue fynally.
As in the conceyte, holdyng it suspecte
To discusse that thing anon do thy cure
for at the furst whan such thynges is reiecte
And thyng that at the furst is not set by,
Is often sayne to greue fynally.
And whan thou arte disposed inwardly.
To venus actes, than represse thy courage,
Fostre not thy flesshe to lustily.
For great dyet, makith the flesshe outrage,
Where as measure might cause it to swage
And glotony, is clepud cheife pometrice,
Ledinge the flesshe, to wantannesse & vice.
To venus actes, than represse thy courage,
Fostre not thy flesshe to lustily.
For great dyet, makith the flesshe outrage,
Where as measure might cause it to swage
And glotony, is clepud cheife pometrice,
Ledinge the flesshe, to wantannesse & vice.
The rampand Lyon & the Tygre felle,
The yrous Bore, the hounde ful of enuye,
And other beestes moo than nedeth to telle,
Men dreden sore, and feren their tirannye,
And will they doo but yit one beest I spye,
That is to fere moste in speciale:
Man is the beest; yt thou moste drede shall.
The yrous Bore, the hounde ful of enuye,
And other beestes moo than nedeth to telle,
Men dreden sore, and feren their tirannye,
And will they doo but yit one beest I spye,
That is to fere moste in speciale:
Man is the beest; yt thou moste drede shall.
The vertue that is clepud fortitude
Standith not all in strengthes bodily,
As to be virous, mighty, strong and rude,
But in the soule, it must be sikurly.
Than if thou wylt thy self fortefie
Thy soule within acqueynt wt sapient:
And thā shalt thou be strong in existence.
As to be virous, mighty, strong and rude,
But in the soule, it must be sikurly.
Than if thou wylt thy self fortefie
Thy soule within acqueynt wt sapient:
And thā shalt thou be strong in existence.
what thing in erth thou shalt take on hande
And thy supporte, shal be in frendlynesse,
No straunger on lyue so nigh to ye wil stāde
As thy knowen frēd, my child this is expres
Of the straunger thou hast no likernesse.
For whan all other ben full far to seche:
Thy faithfull frēd, can best thā be thy leche
And thy supporte, shal be in frendlynesse,
No straunger on lyue so nigh to ye wil stāde
As thy knowen frēd, my child this is expres
Of the straunger thou hast no likernesse.
For whan all other ben full far to seche:
Thy faithfull frēd, can best thā be thy leche
The deth of bestes that be vnresonable,
As be custum and right of sacryfice
To purge the is no seth greable.
Trust not so to gete thy reprice,
For they that trusten so be full vnwise.
By deth of bestes god will not quemed bee.
And man abyde in his iniquitee
As be custum and right of sacryfice
To purge the is no seth greable.
Trust not so to gete thy reprice,
For they that trusten so be full vnwise.
By deth of bestes god will not quemed bee.
And man abyde in his iniquitee
Whan yu wolte chose a frende for trustines,
Than of his fortune make no Inquirance:
For fortune is mother of changeablenes,
Aske of his lyfe and of his gouernaunce:
For that is proue of greater suffisaunce.
Than vre of fortune that is casuelle,
For lyfe of man his fortune doth excelle.
Than of his fortune make no Inquirance:
For fortune is mother of changeablenes,
Aske of his lyfe and of his gouernaunce:
For that is proue of greater suffisaunce.
Than vre of fortune that is casuelle,
For lyfe of man his fortune doth excelle.
Use wel the richesse that thou hast by quest
Of auarice the wicked name escheue,
Let not thy good be stopped in a cheste?
Kepe not thy stuffe ay closed stil in mewe?
Such old treasour wil make thy shāe newe.
what proufiteth plenty, or great treasoure.
And in pouerte a wretche alway to endure
Of auarice the wicked name escheue,
Let not thy good be stopped in a cheste?
Kepe not thy stuffe ay closed stil in mewe?
Such old treasour wil make thy shāe newe.
what proufiteth plenty, or great treasoure.
And in pouerte a wretche alway to endure
And yf thou desyre to reioyse thy fame,
In honeste whyles thou lyuest here
Eschue tho thinges that may cause shame
licorous lustes must be layde on bere,
And thinges fele, that ioyously apere.
This worldis ioye is ay full defectyfe,
Beware of ioy that hurtith thy good lyfe.
In honeste whyles thou lyuest here
Eschue tho thinges that may cause shame
licorous lustes must be layde on bere,
This worldis ioye is ay full defectyfe,
Beware of ioy that hurtith thy good lyfe.
And ay my chyld conceyue and aduertise,
That neuer thou scorne feble stowping age
Thyn elders my child for nothing yu dispisee
Though in their wittes they be not so sage
As in their youth: such age is outrage,
whan age cometh this is sothe certaine,
A man byginneth to be a chyld agayne
That neuer thou scorne feble stowping age
Thyn elders my child for nothing yu dispisee
Though in their wittes they be not so sage
As in their youth: such age is outrage,
whan age cometh this is sothe certaine,
A man byginneth to be a chyld agayne
Enforce thy wittes sumwhat for to lere,
Acquaint the with conning, for that is sure
If fortune fayle, and pouerte appere
who that hath conning, is likly to recure
Connyng and crafte, remayneth to endure
By thā a man may him selfe releue
whan fortune hath cast him into mischefe.
Acquaint the with conning, for that is sure
If fortune fayle, and pouerte appere
who that hath conning, is likly to recure
Connyng and crafte, remayneth to endure
By thā a man may him selfe releue
whan fortune hath cast him into mischefe.
Be styll in silence with avysenesse.
Tary my chield tyl other men haue sayd,
So shalt thou sumwhat say in sothfastnesse
Let not thy tong be sodenly vntyde,
For that might the of hastines be obreide.
By mans word, his maner wil be shewed.
By word is knowē the wise from ye lewde.
So shalt thou sumwhat say in sothfastnesse
Let not thy tong be sodenly vntyde,
For that might the of hastines be obreide.
By mans word, his maner wil be shewed.
By word is knowē the wise from ye lewde.
Though in conyng yu hast full great cōceyte
Enforce the ay yet to lerne more.
The soule it is, that muste be thy receyte,
Replenishe hir, wt that treasure and store
Use maketh maystry, vse conning therfore.
Use helpith arte, as conning helpeth witte:
Than vse and vre, to cōning must be knette
Enforce the ay yet to lerne more.
The soule it is, that muste be thy receyte,
Replenishe hir, wt that treasure and store
Use maketh maystry, vse conning therfore.
Use helpith arte, as conning helpeth witte:
Than vse and vre, to cōning must be knette
Body from soule shal haue desseueraunce,
Deth is ende comune to euery wight.
Charge not to much therfor of dethis chaūce
The tribute of deth must thou paie of right:
But yet by deth shalt thou set more light.
Yf by his lyfe thou set no thing expresse
That is full of woo and wrechidnesse.
Deth is ende comune to euery wight.
Charge not to much therfor of dethis chaūce
The tribute of deth must thou paie of right:
But yet by deth shalt thou set more light.
Yf by his lyfe thou set no thing expresse
That is full of woo and wrechidnesse.
Lerne of the wise, that teche the any thyng
Good, for it is vertue and full commendable
To encrese doctrine through such cōning.
It is alwaye a dede charitable,
To lerne and tecehe it is full agreable
To good doctrine, vertu on lyue kepith,
which ne wer doctrine, sone frō mē should {fline}
Good, for it is vertue and full commendable
To encrese doctrine through such cōning.
It is alwaye a dede charitable,
To lerne and tecehe it is full agreable
To good doctrine, vertu on lyue kepith,
which ne wer doctrine, sone frō mē should {fline}
Drynke not to muche, no more thā yu maiste bere
Rule thy selfe wt the brydel of mesure
To muche drinke, wil the annoye and dere,
Surfet is euer of helth vnsure.
And measure makith mē in helth to endure
what man is ruled aftir lustes vile,
In good estate ne may abide no while.
Rule thy selfe wt the brydel of mesure
To muche drinke, wil the annoye and dere,
Surfet is euer of helth vnsure.
And measure makith mē in helth to endure
what man is ruled aftir lustes vile,
In good estate ne may abide no while.
And if it hap the in audience,
A thing to preise, beware yt thou not blame
It oft agayne right in the same presence
Yf thou dispreyse cōmende not eke the same
Of such trauerse, must nedis folowe shame
To pryese now, and eft to blame doubtles,
Is a thing of great vnstablenes.
A thing to preise, beware yt thou not blame
It oft agayne right in the same presence
Yf thou dispreyse cōmende not eke the same
To pryese now, and eft to blame doubtles,
Is a thing of great vnstablenes.
Whan yu lyuest here right in thin owne ese.
In all thy ioye reeste and prosperitie,
Thinke thou parcas aduersite wil cese:
For welth standith not in sekernesse,
And also sone whan any aduersitese,
Assautith the, yet fall not into dispaire:
Think in thy helpe, good fortūe may repair
In all thy ioye reeste and prosperitie,
Thinke thou parcas aduersite wil cese:
For welth standith not in sekernesse,
And also sone whan any aduersitese,
Assautith the, yet fall not into dispaire:
Think in thy helpe, good fortūe may repair
It is full fayre my child, to be prudente,
And wisely loke thou lerne therfore.
To lerne ay my sonne do thyn entente,
By diligent besynes, wisdome is more:
wisdome is she, that may not be forbore
The rather prudence, yt folke nyce refuse.
Can not be had but by processe and vse,
And wisely loke thou lerne therfore.
To lerne ay my sonne do thyn entente,
By diligent besynes, wisdome is more:
wisdome is she, that may not be forbore
The rather prudence, yt folke nyce refuse.
Can not be had but by processe and vse,
Beware alway that thou neuer enhaunce,
In thy laude or praysing a wight to hie:
For thou maist haue cause eft to disauaūce
The same: but ay thy praising modefie.
For at one day, thou shalt ful wel espye
whether he be frendly that frendly semyth:
For all be not frendes, that men demyth.
For thou maist haue cause eft to disauaūce
The same: but ay thy praising modefie.
For at one day, thou shalt ful wel espye
whether he be frendly that frendly semyth:
For all be not frendes, that men demyth.
Be not ashamed also my chylde to lere,
That thou can not for it is a teche
Of folye: not to desyre doctryne to here.
Full wel is he that to conning may streche,
Sith conyngles a man is but a wreche.
To knowe muche, is right commendable,
And nought to knowe, is ay reproueable.
That thou can not for it is a teche
Of folye: not to desyre doctryne to here.
Full wel is he that to conning may streche,
Sith conyngles a man is but a wreche.
To knowe muche, is right commendable,
And nought to knowe, is ay reproueable.
The solleyne styll oft meneth fraud & gyle,
Of suche a man escheue the company
For the stil man compassith otherwhile
within his hert, deceyte and trecherye.
In flodes stil is water depe and hye,
In stremes softe seming to thy plesaunce,
Often betidith, full vnhappy chaunce,
Of suche a man escheue the company
For the stil man compassith otherwhile
within his hert, deceyte and trecherye.
In flodes stil is water depe and hye,
In stremes softe seming to thy plesaunce,
Often betidith, full vnhappy chaunce,
With thy fortune whā thou arte discōtente
And canst not take agre thyne aduenture,
Behold and fele in thyn auisemnete,
How thay sumtyme were as thou as sure,
And more likely in welth for to endure.
Bothe of beaute and eke of noblenesse:
Haue yet fallen downe into wrechednesse.
And canst not take agre thyne aduenture,
Behold and fele in thyn auisemnete,
How thay sumtyme were as thou as sure,
And more likely in welth for to endure.
Bothe of beaute and eke of noblenesse:
Haue yet fallen downe into wrechednesse.
Atempte no thyng, that yu maist not suffice,
Passe not thi might, bere not to hie thy saile
For ther is parrell, yf that the streme arise,
Certayne my child, this without faile,
The vessel small, is at ful great auaile,
Whan with his Ore he may to land reche
where the sailes hie ful oftē gone to wreche
Passe not thi might, bere not to hie thy saile
For ther is parrell, yf that the streme arise,
Certayne my child, this without faile,
The vessel small, is at ful great auaile,
Whan with his Ore he may to land reche
where the sailes hie ful oftē gone to wreche
Against ye true Iust mā, brawle not ne striue
For to god aboue, that is great displesaūce,
Trust this truly, ther is no man on lyue,
That to the iuste mā doth dere or greuaūce,
But at the last god wil take vengeaunce.
And herof it is good hede for to take,
The rightwisman, of god is not forsake.
For to god aboue, that is great displesaūce,
Trust this truly, ther is no man on lyue,
That to the iuste mā doth dere or greuaūce,
And herof it is good hede for to take,
The rightwisman, of god is not forsake.
Yf extorcion or misauenture,
Haue plucked at the and made ye thredbare
Of riches yet do thy force and cure,
Being mery and eschue thought and care.
For freting thought, is a ful cursed snare:
Come not therin, fortune is vnstable,
After pouerte, riches is pregnable.
Haue plucked at the and made ye thredbare
Of riches yet do thy force and cure,
Being mery and eschue thought and care.
For freting thought, is a ful cursed snare:
Come not therin, fortune is vnstable,
After pouerte, riches is pregnable.
Uenus is redy, with al hir actes vile.
whā he bacchus, hath sent hir in largesse,
The tresoure of his hote and feruent Ile.
Therfore my chield thyne appetyt represse,
In wynes hote, do not to great excesse.
Drinke that for thy soule is expedient,
Eschue strif, with mesure be contēte.
whā he bacchus, hath sent hir in largesse,
The tresoure of his hote and feruent Ile.
Therfore my chield thyne appetyt represse,
In wynes hote, do not to great excesse.
Drinke that for thy soule is expedient,
Eschue strif, with mesure be contēte.
It is an harme, thy goodes to forgo.
That bene in hand, by force or violence,
But yet my childe thou muste cōsidre who,
And what he is, that dothe the such offence.
Bitwixt frend and fo, haue ay a diffrence.
For in sum caas, thou must a frend forbere,
And suffre him, though he annoye & dere.
That bene in hand, by force or violence,
But yet my childe thou muste cōsidre who,
And what he is, that dothe the such offence.
Bitwixt frend and fo, haue ay a diffrence.
For in sum caas, thou must a frend forbere,
And suffre him, though he annoye & dere.
Be not to sure that thou shalt lyue long,
A wight shal die be he loth or leef.
And as the olde so die the yong among,
Deth stelith on, as doth a priue theef.
Lo aganyst deth, men fynd noo releefe
She is aboute to make a deuorce,
And folowith ay the shadowe of the corce.
A wight shal die be he loth or leef.
And as the olde so die the yong among,
Deth stelith on, as doth a priue theef.
Lo aganyst deth, men fynd noo releefe
She is aboute to make a deuorce,
And folowith ay the shadowe of the corce.
Serue ay thy god wt lowly obseruaunce,
wt hert entier, with sote smelling encence,
Such sacrifice, is moste to his plesaunce.
Of calues smale that neuer did offence,
Though thou them sle, thay not dispence
with ye, let thē groue & swinke in thy plough
Thy hert to god is sacrifice ynough.
wt hert entier, with sote smelling encence,
Such sacrifice, is moste to his plesaunce.
Of calues smale that neuer did offence,
Though thou them sle, thay not dispence
with ye, let thē groue & swinke in thy plough
Thy hert to god is sacrifice ynough.
Geue place to him that excedeth thy myght,
Though yu be hurt it may profit perchaūce.
and seld auayleth a man for to fight
against suche one as passeth his puissaunce,
Though he greue now, yet oft he may auāce
Full oft is sayne after greate duresse,
The mighty man will kithe his gentilnesse.
Though yu be hurt it may profit perchaūce.
and seld auayleth a man for to fight
against suche one as passeth his puissaunce,
Though he greue now, yet oft he may auāce
Full oft is sayne after greate duresse,
The mighty man will kithe his gentilnesse.
After thy surfet and greate offence,
Chastise thy selfe correct that was amys,
Correcte thy gylte, amende thy necligence.
Sorowe for sinne, a veray medicine is
Repente the sore, than arte thou saufe iwis.
For phisicke saith, my chyld I the ensure:
a bitter drinke, ye sharpe sickenes may cure.
Chastise thy selfe correct that was amys,
Correcte thy gylte, amende thy necligence.
Sorowe for sinne, a veray medicine is
Repente the sore, than arte thou saufe iwis.
For phisicke saith, my chyld I the ensure:
a bitter drinke, ye sharpe sickenes may cure.
If yu haue founde long frendship in a wight.
Ful yore ago, though he begyn to chaunge
Dispraise him not: mē bide not in one plight
sometime was abbay, there as now is grāge
This worlds cours, is wōdre queinte & straūge.
but though yt mā, now be waxe vnkind:
His olde frendshyp remembre in thy mynd.
Ful yore ago, though he begyn to chaunge
Dispraise him not: mē bide not in one plight
sometime was abbay, there as now is grāge
but though yt mā, now be waxe vnkind:
His olde frendshyp remembre in thy mynd.
If it vre the in office to be sette,
Than be thou gracious to other men
They may reporte a godly man is mette
with suche an office, & so good name shal rēne:
About of the, but I ensure the whenne.
The officers are vnkinde, than say yt presse
Now wold god, this man were officelesse.
Than be thou gracious to other men
They may reporte a godly man is mette
with suche an office, & so good name shal rēne:
About of the, but I ensure the whenne.
The officers are vnkinde, than say yt presse
Now wold god, this man were officelesse.
Be not suspecte, that is a wicked teche,
The suspecte wight, with coward Iolasy,
In his liuing is but a very wretche,
Muche is amys, and all wold he espy,
Ne demeth false and faileth hertinesse.
His false conceite sette in malyncolye
Sleeth him anone: deth endeth his folye.
The suspecte wight, with coward Iolasy,
In his liuing is but a very wretche,
Muche is amys, and all wold he espy,
Ne demeth false and faileth hertinesse.
His false conceite sette in malyncolye
Sleeth him anone: deth endeth his folye.
If thou haue men without libertie,
Suche as men clepe the men of bondage,
Though they be vnder thy captiuitie,
yet to suche men be neuer so outrage,
If they be holden vnder thy seruage.
Though they be boūde yet veray mē thei be:
And so to dele with theim, & remembre the.
Though they be vnder thy captiuitie,
yet to suche men be neuer so outrage,
If they be holden vnder thy seruage.
Though they be boūde yet veray mē thei be:
And so to dele with theim, & remembre the.
Thy first fortune receiue with redinesse,
Refuse it not though it be scant and smal.
It is well better in gree to take the lesse,
Than refuse it, and after fayle of all.
Giftes of fortune take theim as they fall.
Forsake them now, & oft thou shalt thē nede:
Tyme is to take when men proffer & bede.
Refuse it not though it be scant and smal.
It is well better in gree to take the lesse,
Than refuse it, and after fayle of all.
Giftes of fortune take theim as they fall.
Forsake them now, & oft thou shalt thē nede:
Tyme is to take when men proffer & bede.
Reioyce not my chyld in all thy lyfe,
The sodeine death of a cursed mā or wretche
whan he is dead, the soule may not reuyue,
Frō paine to ioye, ye sprite may not stretche,
The fyndes holde so sore yt they may retche.
who lyueth well full well eke dieth he:
That soule is sure of greate felicite.
The sodeine death of a cursed mā or wretche
whan he is dead, the soule may not reuyue,
Frō paine to ioye, ye sprite may not stretche,
The fyndes holde so sore yt they may retche.
who lyueth well full well eke dieth he:
That soule is sure of greate felicite.
If thou haue a wyfe in assuraunce,
Than trust her wel, and loue her inwardly,
with hert & thought & all thy affiaunce,
Be not infecte with suspect Ielosy:
If no defaute in her thou canst spie.
And if thy frende tel the suche is the fame:
He is a frende and she nothing to blame,
Than trust her wel, and loue her inwardly,
with hert & thought & all thy affiaunce,
Be not infecte with suspect Ielosy:
If no defaute in her thou canst spie.
And if thy frende tel the suche is the fame:
He is a frende and she nothing to blame,
Whan through studie and long exercise,
Thou knowest muche & hast great cōning,
yet do thy diligence, in besy wyse,
More to cunne it is a holsome thyng.
To greate honour, conning may the bring.
And neuer eschewe for to wille be caught,
without teaching, sciēce will not be taught.
Thou knowest muche & hast great cōning,
yet do thy diligence, in besy wyse,
More to cunne it is a holsome thyng.
To greate honour, conning may the bring.
And neuer eschewe for to wille be caught,
without teaching, sciēce will not be taught.
And if yu ought maruayle, or lust for to muse,
In naked wordes why my verses I wryte,
In no wyse I may me better excuse,
Than say my witte so dulle & inparfite,
Artith me thus rudely to endite.
By two and two, my metre for to knytte,
Nought causeth me, but simplenes of witte.
In naked wordes why my verses I wryte,
In no wyse I may me better excuse,
Than say my witte so dulle & inparfite,
Artith me thus rudely to endite.
By two and two, my metre for to knytte,
Nought causeth me, but simplenes of witte.
Pars quarta et vltima.
| Here begynneth the boke of Cato both in Latyn and Englyshe | |