If thou ne kepe noght the riht,[1325]

Whil thou art in thi yonge myht,

Which that thin olde fader gat.

Bot seie unto the poeple plat,

That whil thou livest in thi lond,

The leste finger of thin hond

It schal be strengere overal

Than was thi fadres bodi al.

And this also schal be thi tale,

If he hem smot with roddes smale, 4090