A Sergeant of Lawe, war and wys,

That often hadde ben atte parvys,

Ther was also, ful riche of excellence.

Discret he was, and of great reverence:

He semede such, his wordes weren so wise,

Justice he was ful often in assise,

By patente, and by pleyn commissioun;

For his science, and for his heih renoun,

Of fees and robes hadde he many oon.

So gret a purchasour was nowher noon.