And if a man be falsly famed,
And woldë make purgacioun,
Than woll the officers be agramed,
And assigne him fro town to town;
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So nede he must[e] paye raunsoun
Though he be clene as is cristall,
And than have an absolutioun;
But all such falsë shull foul fall!
Though he be gilty of the dede,