Thar cowatyss was our gret maystir seyn;
Nane sampill takis, how ane othir has beyn
For cowatice put in gret paynys fell;835
For cowatice, the serpent is off hell.
Throuch cowatice, gud Ector tuk the ded;
For cowatice thar can be no ramed.
Throuch cowatice gud Alexander was lost;
And Julius als, for all his reiff and bost.840
Throuch cowatice deit Arthour off Bretane.
For cowatice thar has deit mony ane.