That loven wommen nat, as that I gesse!'

To sclaundre wommen thus, what may profyte

135

To gentils namely, that hem armen sholde,

And in defence of wommen hem delyte

As that the ordre of gentilesse wolde?

If that a man list gentil to be holde,

He moot flee al that ther-to is contrarie;

140

A sclaundring tonge is his grete adversarie.