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14.197: But oure spences and spendynge sprynge of a trewe welle;<br />
14.198: Ellis is al oure labour lost — lo, how men writeth<br />
14.199: In fenestres at the freres! — if fals be the foundement.<br />
14.200: Forthi Cristene sholde be in commune riche, noon coveitous for<br />
hymselve.<br />
14.201: " For sevene synnes ther ben, that assaillen us evere;<br />
14.202: The fend folweth hem alle and fondeth hem to helpe,<br />
14.203: Ac with richesse tho ribaudes rathest men bigileth.<br />
14.204: For ther that richesse regneth, reverences folweth,<br />
14.205: And that is plesaunt to pride, in poore and in riche.<br />
14.206: And the riche is reverenced by reson of his richesse<br />
14.207: Ther the poore is put bihynde, and paraventure kan moore<br />
14.208: Of wit and of wisdom, that fer awey is bettre<br />
14.209: Than richesse or reautee, and rather yherd in hevene.<br />
14.210: For the riche hath muche to rekene, and right softe walketh;<br />
14.211: The heighe wey to heveneward ofte richesse letteth —<br />
14.211: <strong>It</strong>a inpossibile diviti &c —<br />
14.212: Ther the poore preesseth bifore, with a pak at his rugge —<br />
14.212: Opera enim illorum sequuntur illos —<br />
14.213: Batauntliche, as beggeris doon, and boldeliche he craveth<br />
14.214: For his poverte and his pacience a perpetuel blisse:<br />
14.214: Beati pauperes: quoniam ipsorum est regnum celorum.<br />
14.215: "And pride in richesse regneth rather than in poverte:<br />
14.216: Or in the maister or in the man som mansion he haveth.<br />
14.217: Ac in poverte ther pacience is, Pride hath no mygte,<br />
14.218: Ne none of the sevene synnes sitten ne mowe ther longe,<br />
14.219: Ne have power in poverte, if pacience it folwe.<br />
14.220: For the poore is ay prest to plese the riche,<br />
14.221: And buxom at his biddyng for his broke loves;<br />
14.222: And buxomnesse and boost ben everemoore at werre,<br />
14.223: And either hateth oother in alle maner werkes.<br />
14.224: If Wrathe wrastle with the poore he hath the worse ende,<br />
14.225: For if thei bothe pleyne, the poore is but feble,<br />
14.226: And if he chide or chatre, hym cheveth the worse,<br />
14.227: For lowliche he loketh and lovelich is his speche<br />
14.228: That mete or money of othere men moot asken.<br />
14.229: "And if Glotonie greve poverte, he gadereth the lasse.<br />
14.230: For his rentes wol naught reche no riche metes to bigge;<br />
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