and studien out the propertee there of thinges, sayn: the Margarite

is a litel whyt perle, throughout holowe and rounde and

45

vertuous; and on the see-sydes, in the more Britayne, in

muskle-shelles, of the hevenly dewe, the best ben engendred; in whiche

by experience ben founde three fayre vertues. Oon is, it yeveth

comfort to the feling spirites in bodily persones of reson. Another

is good; it is profitable helthe ayenst passions of sorie mens hertes.

50

And the thirde, it is nedeful and noble in staunching of bloode,