2148 ferm—ferme
2149 veyne—veyn
2150 if—yif
2154 comeþ of—comth of the
2157 whiche—which
2158 pris—preys
comeþ—comth
2160 goode—good
in (2)—omitted
2161 maner—manere
[OMNE HOMINUM GENUS IN TERRIS.]
Al þe linage All men have the same origin. of men þat ben in erþe ben of semblable [2164]
burþe. They have one father and one king, who gave the moon her horns, and adorned the sun with his rays. On al one is fadir of þinges. On alone
minyst[r]eþ alle þinges. ¶ He ȝaf to þe sonne hys
bemes. he ȝaf to þe moone hir hornes. The same gave the earth to man and adorned the sky with stars. he ȝaf þe men to
þe erþe. he ȝaf þe sterres to þe heuene. He breathed into man the breath of life. ¶ he encloseþ [2168]
wiþ membres þe soules þat comen fro hys heye sete.
All men spring from this illustrious source. ¶ þanne comen alle mortal folk of noble seed. Why then do they boast of pedigree? whi
noysen ȝe or bosten of ȝoure eldris He alone is ignoble who submits to vice and forgets his noble origin. ¶ For yif þou
look[e] ȝoure bygynnyng. and god ȝoure auctour and [2172]
ȝoure makere. þan is þer no forlyued wyȝt but ȝif he
norisse his corage vnto vices and forlete his propre
burþe.