As Aristotle it berth witnesse,

God schal hise foomen so represse,

That thei schul ay stonde under foote.

Pite, men sein, is thilke roote

Wherof the vertus springen alle:

What infortune that befalle

In eny lond, lacke of pite[1234]

Is cause of thilke adversite;3340*

And that aldai mai schewe at yhe,

Who that the world discretly syhe.[1235]