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Somtyme in Grece, that noble region, There were eight clerkes of grete science, Philosophers of notable discretion, Of whom was asked, to prove their prudence, Eight questions of derke intellygence; To whiche they answered, after their entent, As here dothe appere playne and evydent. The fyrst questyon: What erthly thyng Is best, and to God moost commendable? The first clerke answered without tarying: "A mannes soule ever ferme and stable In right, from trouthe nat varyable; But nowe, alas, ful sore may we wepe, For covetyse hath brought trouth a slepe." The seconde: What thyng is moost odious? "A double man," sayd the philosophre, "With a virgyn face and a tayle venomous, With a fayre vieu and a false profre; A corrupte caryen in a golden coffour, It is a monster in natures lynage, One man to have a double vysage." The thirde: What is the best dower That maye be to a wyfe appropriate? "A clene lyfe," was the clerkes aunswer, "Without synne, chast, and invyolate From al disceytes and speches inornate, Or countenaunce, whiche shal be to dispyse: No fyre make and no smoke wol aryse!" The fourth questyon: What mayden may Be called clene in chastyté? The fourth clerke answered: "Whiche alway Every creature is ashamed on to lye, Of whom every man reporteth great honesté; Good maydens kepe your chastyté forthe, And remembre that good name is golde worthe." Who is a poore man, ever ful of wo? "A covetouse man whiche is a nygon, He that in his herte can never say 'ho'; The more good, the lesse distributyon, The richer, the worse of condityon; Men in this cost clepen him a nygarde; Sir Guy the bribour is his stewarde." Whiche is a riche man withouten fraude? "He that can to his good suffyse, Whatsoever he hath, he geveth God the laude, And kepeth him clene from al covetyse; He desyreth nothyng in ungoodly wyse; His body is here, his mynde is above: He is a riche man, for God doth him love." Who is a foole, is the seventh demaunde. "He that wolde hurte and hath no powere, Myght he, mykel moche wolde he commaunde, His malyce great, his myght nought were; He thretteth ful faste, ful lytel may he dere; Thynketh nat howe men have sayd beforne: God sendeth a shreude cowe a shorte horne!" Who is a wyse man, is the eight question: "He that myght noye and dothe no noyaunce, Myght punysshe and leaveth punyssion; A man mercyful without vengeaunce; A wyse man putteth in remembraunce, Sayeng, 'Had I venged al myne harme, My cloke had nat be furred halfe so warme!'"

Once learning moral discernment difficult subject matter opinion caused; to be neglected innocent offer decayed corpse; coffin; (see note) family dowry pure indecorous conduct to slander; (see note) continuously miser stop spending condition swindler; overseer; (see note) is able to be content with his prosperity gives; praise question (see note) very threaten; injure malicious; (see note) harm; injury; (see note) avenged; (see note)