XXVIII. Sayings. I give these sayings as printed by Caxton; see vol. i. p. 46, where I note that Caxton did not ascribe them to Chaucer. They are not at all in his style.
In MS. Ashmole 59, fol. 78, I find a similar prophecy:—
Prophecia merlini doctoris perfecti.
Whane lordes wol leefe theire olde lawes,
And preestis been varyinge in theire sawes,
And leccherie is holden solace,
And oppressyoun for truwe purchace;
And whan the moon is on dauid stall,
And the kynge passe Arthures hall,
Than[[44]] is [the] lande of Albyon