'That is wel seyd,' quod he, 'certayn, best is

That [ye him love ayein for his lovinge],

As love for love is skilful guerdoninge.

57. Thenk eek, [how elde wasteth every houre]

In eche of yow a party of beautee;

395

And therfore, er that age thee devoure,

[Go love], for, olde, ther wol no wight of thee.

Lat this proverbe a lore un-to yow be;

"[To late y-war], quod Beautee, whan it paste;"