for betere is an elmesse biforen; þenne boð efter souene.
Alto lome ich habbe igult a werke ⁊ o worde.
Al to muchel ich habbe ispent. to litel ihud in horde.
Ne beo þe loure þene þe solf; ne þin mei. ne þin maȝe.
30 Soht is þ̵ is oðer`s´ monnes frond betre þen his aȝen.
Ne lipnie wif to hire were. ne were to his wiue
bo for him solue ech .Mon. þe `h´wile þ̵ he bo aliue.
Wis is þe to him solue þench þe hwile þe mot libben.
for sone wule hine forȝeten þe fremede ⁊ þe sibbe.
35 þe wel ne deð þe hwile he mai; ne scal wenne he walde.