And thus, whether thou be chast or deslavee,

Suffre hem spekë—and trust right wel this,

A wikked tonge wel alway deme amis.

And if that thou be fat or corpulent,

Than wol they say that thou art a glotoun,

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A devourour, or ellës vinolent;

If thou be lene or megre of fassioun,

Cal thee a nigard, in hir opinioun;

Yet suffre hem spekë—and trust right wel this,