that is for to seyn, that shrewes revengen hem ayeinward
up-on dignitees; for they yilden ayein to dignitees as gret guerdoun,
whan they bi-spotten and defoulen dignitees with hir
vilenye. And for as mochel as thou mowe knowe that thilke
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verray reverence ne may nat [comen by] thise shadewy transitorie
dignitees, undirstond now thus: yif that a man hadde used and
had [many maner] dignitees of consules, and were comen peraventure
amonge straunge naciouns, sholde thilke honour maken
him worshipful and redouted of straunge folk? Certes, yif that