Ther heth so manye prestes, hii ne muwe noht alle be gode. 110
And natheles thise gode men fallen oft in fame,
For thise wantoune prestes that pleien here nice game,
bi nihte,
Hii gon wid swerd and bokeler as men that wolde fihte.
Glossary.—93. medeth, takes bribe.—94. for-worthe, go to nought. adrenche, drown.—96. ben, be.—97. prest, priest.—99. daffe, fool. lasse, less.—100. unnethe, hardly.—102. for lac of lore spille, be ruined for want of teaching.—104. bishrewed, cursed.—105. wot, knows.—106. rat, reads.—109. rode, cross, rood.—110. muwe, may.
Summe bereth croune of acolite for the crumponde crok,
And ben ashamed of the merke the bishop hem bitok;
At even he set upon a koife, and kembeth the croket,