Trouth is put down, and up goth flatery;

And who list plainly know the cause of this,

A wikked tonge wol alway deme amis.

85

For though a man were al-so pacient

As was David, through his humilitee,

Or with Salamon in wysdom as prudent,

Or in knighthode egal with Josuë,

Or manly proved as Judas Machabee,

90