But as I bad Thoght thoo · be mene bitwene,
And pute forth som purpos · to preven his wittes,
What was Do-wel fro Do-bet, · and Do-best from hem bothe.
Thanne Thoght in that tyme · seide these wordes:
"Where Do-wel, Do-bet, · and Do-best ben in londe,
Here is Wil wolde wite, · if Wit koude teche him;
And whether he be man or woman · this man fayn wolde aspie,
And werchen[58] as thei thre wolde, · thus is his entente"
[23] questioned.
[24] could tell me.
[25] Where this man dwelt.
[26] mean or gentle.
[27] of the Minorite order.
[28] I saluted them courteously.
[29] and poor men's cots.
[30] times.
[31] example.
[32] through his own negligence.
[33] weak, unstable.
[34] But.
[35] sloth.
[36] a year's-gift.
[37] to rule, guide, govern.
[38] mother-wit.
[39] I commit thee to Christ.
[40] to become.
[41] by myself.
[42] The charm of the birds.
[43] under a linden-tree on a plain.
[44] a short time.
[45] a most wonderful dream.
[46] I dreamed.
[47] followed.
[48] sawest.
[49] sooner.
[50] gains his livelihood.
[51] drunken.
[52] disdainful.
[53] club staff.
[54] to injure.
[55] pray.
[56] journeyed.
[57] we met Wit.
[58] work.