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†To translaten that olde clerkes wryten,
†[As thogh that] he of malice wolde endyten
Despyt of love, [and had] him-self hit wroght.
†This shulde a rightwys lord have in his thoght,
†And nat be lyk [tiraunts of Lumbardye],
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Than han no [reward but at] tirannye.
†For he that king or lord is naturel,
†Him oghte nat be tiraunt ne cruel,