For be the hond i-whited, it shal go god i-nouh.
If the king in his werre sent after mihti men,
To helpe him in his nede, of sum toun .ix. or .x.,
Glossary.—275. I leve, I believe.—276. twye, twice.—277. a-strout, sticking out (?).—282. allermost, most of all.—283. newe taille, new cut.—284. raye, cloth, garment. overthuert, crosswise.—286. ben i-laft wid, have separated from, or have sent away.—289. shirreves, sheriffs.—290. kunnen, know how, they can.—292. mot-halle, hall of meeting, the justice-hall.—293. wouh, wrong.—294. i-whited, whitened.
The stiffeste sholen bileve at hom for .x. shillinges or .xii.,
And sende forth a wrecche that may noht helpe himselve
at nede.
Thus is the king deceyved, and pore men shent for mede. 300
And if the king in his lond maketh a taxacioun,