It is to live under thobeisance

Of her that may with her lookes softe
Give thee the blisse that thou desirest ofte.

Be diligent, awake, obey, and drede, 2220 And be not too wild of thy countenaunce, But meeke and glad, and thy nature feede, To do each thing that may her pleasance, When thou shalt sleep, have aie in remembrance Thimage of her which may with lookes softe Give thee the blisse that thou desirest ofte.

And if so be that thou her name finde Written in booke, or elles upon walle, Looke that thou, as servaunt true and kinde Thine obeisaunce, as she were there withalle ; Faining in love is breeding of a falle From the grace of her whose lookes softe May give the blisse that thou desirest ofte.

Ye that this ballade reade shalle,

I pray you keep you from the falle.

2231

VIRELAI.

ALONE walkyng,

In thought pleynyng,
And sore syghyng,
Al desolate,

Yet I full feyne

Wolde me compleyne,

Me to absteyne

From thys penaunce.

But in substaunce,

Noon allegeaunce 1

Of my grevaunce

Can I nat fynde ;

Ryght so my chaunce,

With displesaunce,

Doth me avaunce;

And thus an ende.

CHAUCER'S PROPHESY.

WHAN prestis faylin in her sawes,
And lordis turnin Goddis lawes
Ageynis ryt;

And lecherie is holden as privy solas,
And robberie as fre purchas,

Bewar than of ille.

Than schall the lond of Albion

Turnin to confusion,

As sumtyme it befelle.

1 Alleviation

30

40

GO FORTH, KING.

655

Ora pro Anglia, Sancta Maria, quod Thomas

Cantuaria.

Sweete Jhesu, heven-king,

Fayr and beste of all thyng,
You bring us owt of this morning
To come to the at owre ending.

GO FORTH, KING.

Go forth, King, rule thee by sapience;
Bishop, be able to minister doctrine
Lorde, to true counsaile geve audience;
Womanhode, to chastity ever incline;
Knight, let thy deedes worship determine ;
Be righteous, Judge, in saving of thy name;
Riche, do almose, lest thou lese bliss with
shame.

People, obey your king and the law;

Age, be ruled by good religion;

True Servaunt, be dredful and keep thee under

law;

And, thou Poore, fie on presumpcion ! Inobedience to Youth is utter destruction; Remember you how God hath set you, lo, And doe your part as ye be ordained to.

!