human
Wyves and widewes, Wolle and flex spynneth; Maketh cloth, I counseille yow, 3820 And kenneth so youre doughtres; The nedy and the naked, Nymeth hede how thei liggeth, And casteth hem clothes, For so comaundeth Truthe. For I shal leven hem liflode, But if the lond faille, Flesshe and breed bothe To riche and to poore, As long as I lyve, 3830 For the Lordes love of hevene; And alle manere of men That thorugh mete and drynke libbeth, Helpeth hym to werche wightliche, That wynneth youre foode.
gpt
By Crist! quod a knyght thoo,
human
He kenneth us the beste; Ac on the teme, trewely, Taught was I nevere; But kenne me, quod the knyght, 3840
gpt
And by Crist I wole assaye!
human
By seint Poul! quod Perkyn,
gpt
Ye profre yow so faire, That I shal swynke and swete, And sowe for us bothe, And othere labours do for thi love Al my lif tyme, In covenaunt that thow kepe Holy kirke and myselve Fro wastours and fro wikked men 3850 That this world destruyeth. {119} And go hunte hardiliche To hares and to foxes, To bores and to brokkes That breken doun myne hegges; And so affaite thi faucons Wilde foweles to kille; For swiche cometh to my croft, And croppeth my whete.
human
By my power, Piers! quod he,
gpt
I plighte thee my trouthe, To fulfille this forwarde, Though I fighte sholde; Als longe as I lyve I shal thee mayntene.