I saw where walked a seemly young man, that slender was and lean.
His bow he took in hand toward the deer to stalk,
I prayed him his shot to leave and softly with me to walk.”
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Thereupon the young man was glad and loved to talk with me; but when I inquired whom he served, he said: “God help me, sir, I serve myself and else no other man.”
“Is thy governance good[[118]]?” I said. “My son, tell me if thou wilt.”
“I would I were out of this world,” said he; “I reck not how soon when!”
“Say not so, good son, beware! Methinks you mean amiss for God forbids wanhope,[[119]] which is a horrible sin. Therefore, good son, open your heart to me, peradventure I can relieve you. Remember that when bale[[120]] is highest, boot[[121]] is nighest.”
“In truth, sir, I have sought far and near in many a wildsome way to get me a master. But because I knew nothing good, and showed this wherever I went, every man denied me; day by day, wanton[[122]] and over-nice, reckless, lewd and chattering like a jay, every man refused me.”
“Now, good son, if I will teach, will you learn? Will you be a serving-man, a ploughman, a labourer, a courtier, a clerk, a merchant, a mason or an artificer, a chamberlain, a butler, a panter or a carver?”