Þe nedy and þe naked, nymmeth hede how hii liggeth, 15
And casteth hem clothes, for so comaundeth Treuthe.
For I shal lene hem lyflode, but ȝif þe londe faille,
Flesshe and bred, bothe to riche and to pore,
As longe as I lyue, for þe Lordes loue of heuene.
And alle manere of men þat þorw mete and drynke lybbeth, 20
Helpith hym to worche wiȝtliche þat wynneth ȝowre fode.'
'Bi Crist!' quod a knyȝte þo, 'he kenneth vs þe best;
Ac on þe teme trewly tauȝte was I neuere.
Ac kenne me,' quod þe knyȝte, 'and, bi Cryst! I wil assaye.'