And thus thei worchen treble sinne,

That ben flatours aboute a king.

Ther myhte be no worse thing

Aboute a kinges regalie,

Thanne is the vice of flaterie.

And natheles it hath ben used,

That it was nevere yit refused

As forto speke in court real;

For there it is most special, 2210

And mai noght longe be forbore.