Whan that men wenen best to sitte:

In holy cherche of such a slitte[120]

Is for to rewe un to ous alle;

God grante it mote wel befalle 340

Towardes him which hath the trowthe.[121]

Bot ofte is sen that mochel slowthe,

Whan men ben drunken of the cuppe,

Doth mochel harm, whan fyr is uppe,

Bot if somwho the flamme stanche;

And so to speke upon this branche,