450

That this trewe and just commendacioun

Of wommen is nat told for flaterye,

Ne to cause hem pryde or elacioun,

But only, lo! for this entencioun,

To yeve hem corage of perseveraunce

455

In vertu, and hir honour to enhaunce.

The more vertu, the lasse is the pryde;

Vertu so digne is, and so noble in kynde