LXXXIX.
If that thoue haue grete werre and besy,
In Babilonies streynght verely
Troste not, for be Minos[[530]] and that soone
It was take; trosteth not than thereone.
Grete Babilony was founded bi the grete gyaunt Nambroth,[[531]] and it was the streyngest cete that euer was; but notwithstondyng it was take by knynght Minos.[[532]] Therefore it is seide to the good knyght that he shuld not so myche truste in the streynght of his cete or off his castell in tyme off werre, but that it be full purveide off pepyll and of all thyng that behoueth for dwe defence. For Platon seith, “Who so trostith all only in his streyngth is often ouercomen.”
Be the streynth of Babilonie, wherein men shuld not trost, it is to vndirstonde that the good sperite shulde not trust ne attende to thynges that the worlde promysith; and Seynt Austyn spekith therof in the booke of Syngularite of Clerkes,[[533]] that it is to lewde a trust[[534]] to name his lyffe to be swre ayens the perell of this worlde. And it is a folych hope to wene to be saue among the byttynges[[535]] of synnys; yit the victorie incerteyne is as long as men be among the dartes of there enmyes and kepith theyme vnhurte,[[536]] but who so is envirouned with flawmes is not lyghtly delyuered withowtyn brennyng. Trost to hym that hath the experience; though the world lawith[[537]] on the, tryst it not, lete thi hoope be sette in God. Therefor seith the prophete Dauid, “Spera in Domino,” etc.[[538]]