Theih dradden more here lond to lese, than love of Jhesu Crist.

Glossary.—430. prokede, urged.—432. spille, to be ruined, spoilt.—434. Ar, before. swich a res, such a rage.—438. wreche, destruction. i-kid, shown.—440. thole, undergo, bear. i-leid, laid.—444. lorn, lost.—445. i-hurled to hepe, thrown on a heap.—448. ablent, blinded.—450. dradden, dreaded. lese, lose.

For hadde the clergie harde holden to-gidere,

And noht flecched aboute nother hider ne thidere,

But loked where the treuthe was, and there have bileved,

Thanne were the barnage hol, that nu is al to-dreved

so wide;

Ac certes Engelond is shent thurw falsnesse and thurw pride.

Pride hath in his paunter kauht the heie and the lowe,