†And weyen every thing by equitee,
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†And ever han reward to his owen degree.
†For, sir, hit is no maystrie for a lord
To dampne a man with-oute answere or word;
†And, for a lord, that is ful foul to use.
†And if so be he may him nat excuse,
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[But] axeth mercy with a sorweful herte,
†And profreth him, right in his bare sherte,