The proverb is a little varied in another copy of these "Proverbs," p. 194 of the same work. There is a German proverb closely resembling it, "Je lieberes Kind, je schärfere Ruthe."

[2551]. Prov. xiii, 24.

[2569]. After this line Whitaker's text has inserted a passage, answering nearly word for word (except in the few first lines) to the passage in our text, ll. 6218-6274.

[2573]. In the same text, the following lines are here added:—

'And also,' quath Reson,

'Ich rede yow, riche

And comuners, to acorden

In alle kynne treuthe.

Let no kynne consail

Ne covetyze yow departe,