Lo, swich hit is to have a tonge loos!

Now parde, fool, yet were hit bet for thee

Have holde thy pees, than shewed thy nycete!

Hit lyth not in his wit nor in his wille,

But sooth is seyd, "a fool can noght be stille."'

575

The laughter aroos of gentil foules alle,

And right anoon the seed-foul chosen hadde

The turtel trewe, and gunne hir to hem calle,

And preyden hir to seye the sothe sadde