To helpe himself at such a nede,

Bot slowtheth under such a drede, 3420

Which is affermed in his herte,

Riht as he mihte noght asterte

The worldes wo which he is inne.

Also whan he is falle in Sinne,

Him thenkth he is so ferr coupable,

That god wol noght be merciable

So gret a Sinne to foryive;[1418]

And thus he leeveth to be schrive.