A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

For in thy port or in thyn apparayle

If thou be clad or honestly be-seyn,

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Anon the people, of malice, wol nat fayle,

Without advyce or reson, for to sayn

That thyn array is mad and wrought in vayn;

What! suffre hem spekë!—and trust right wel this,

A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

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