truthFlee fro the pres, and dwelle with sothfastnessë,
Suffyce unto thy good, though it be smal;
For hord hath hate, and climbing tikelnessë,
Pres hath envye, and welë blent overal;
Savour no more than thee bihovë shal;
Reule thyself, that other folk canst redë;
And trouthë shal delivere, it is no dredë.

Tempest thee not al croked to redressë,
In trust of hir that turneth as a bal:
Gret restë stant in litel besinessë;
And eek be ware to sporn ageyn an al;
Stryve not, as doth the crokkë with the wal.
Daunte thyself, that dauntest otheres dedë;
And trouthë shal delivere, it is no dredë.

That thee is sent, receyve in buxumnessë,
The wrastling for this worlde axeth a fal.
Her is non hoom, her nis but wildernessë:
Forth, pilgrim, forth! Forth, beste, out of thy stal!
Know thy contree, look up, thank God of al;
Weyve thy lust, and lat thy gost thee ledë:
And trouthë shal delivere, it is no dredë.

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