but a greet sweller of eeres!" Many oon hath had ful greet renomè
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by false opinion of variaunt people. And what is fouler than
folk wrongfully to ben praysed, or by malice of the people giltlesse
lacked? Nedes shame foloweth therof to hem that with wrong
prayseth, and also to the desertes praysed; and vilanye and
reproof of him that disclaundreth.
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Good child (quod she) what echeth suche renomè to the
conscience of a wyse man, that loketh and mesureth his goodnesse,