And tuo han more wit then on,

So thilke excusement was non.

And over that was seid hem eke,[327]

That whan men wolden vertu seke,

Men scholde it in the Prestes finde;

Here ordre is of so hyh a kinde,

That thei be Duistres of the weie:[328]

Forthi, if eny man forsueie

Thurgh hem, thei be noght excusable.

And thus be lawe resonable 1030