sorwful fortune ne confounde thee nat, ne that the merye fortune

ne corumpe thee nat, occupye the mene by stedefast strengthes.

70

For al that ever is under the mene, or elles al that overpasseth the

mene, despyseth welefulnesse (as who seyth, it is vicious), and ne

hath no mede of his travaile. For it is set [in your hand] (as who

seyth, it lyth in your power) what fortune yow is levest, that is to

seyn, good or yvel. For alle fortune that semeth sharp or aspre,

75

yif it ne exercyse nat the gode folk ne chastyseth the wikked folk, it