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Of science though the soul be bare and Summoned the Sheep before the Wolf,

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Æsop a tale puttis in memory,

How that a Dog, because that he was poor,

Called a Sheep to the consistory,

A certain bread1 of him for to recure.2

A fraudful Wolf was judge that time, and bure

Authority and jurisdiction;

IV.

This summons made before witness enew, I The Raven as till his office well affeird,2 Endorsed has the writ, and on he flew : The silly Sheep durst lay no mouth on erd, Till she before that awful judge appeared, By hour of cause whilk that court usèd than,

When Hesperus to show his face began.3

V.

The Fox was clerk and notar in that cause: The Gled, 4 the Graip 5 up at the bar couth stand

As advocates expert into the laws,
The Dogis plea together took on hand,
Whilk were confederate straitly in ane
band,

And on the sheep sent forth a strait Agane" the Sheep to procure the sentence; Though it were false, they have no conscience.

summoun.

II.

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The Sheep again before the Wolf derenyeit,3

But 4 advocate, abaisedly couth 5 stand.

He bad the parties choose, with one assent,
Two arbitours, as in the law is used,
For to declare and give arbitrement,
Whither the Sheep should answer in Up rose the Dog, and on the Sheep thus

judgment

Before the Wolf: and so they did but weir,
Of whom the namis after ye shall hear.

X.

The Beir, the Brok,3 the matter took on hand

For to decide, gif this exception

plained;

"Ane sum I payèd have before the hand For certain bread; thereto a borrow he fand,

That wrongously the Sheep held frae him bread,

Whilk he denyèd; and there began the plead."

XIV.

Was of nae strength, nor lawfully might And when the Sheep this strife had con

stand:

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testait,

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'Sees thou not, Lord, this world o'erturnèd is,

THE UPLAND MOUSE AND BURGESS MOUSE.

I.

Æsop, mine author, makis mentioun
Of twa miceis; and they were sisters dear;
of whom the elder dwelt in borrows town:
The younger winnèd uponland2 well near
Right solitar; while under busk and breir,3
Whiles in the corn, in other menis skaith,4
As outlawis does that livis on their waith.5

II.

The rural Mouse into the winter tide Had hunger, cauld, and tholit❝ great distress;

The tother Mouse that in the burgh can

bide,

Was gild-brother, and made ane free burgess.

Toll-free also, but custom,7 mair or less, And freedom had to gae where ere she list

As who would change good gold in lead Among the cheese and meal, in ark and kist.

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She ran cryand till she came to a balk,1 "Come forth to me, my awin sister dear! Cry peep anes "2-with that the mouse couth hear,

And knew her voice, as kinisman will do By very kind; and forth she came her to.

V.

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My mother said, sister, when we were born, Their heartly cheer, Lord God! gif ye had That ye and I lay both within ane wame;'

seen,

Was kithit when that thir3 two sisters met, And great kindness was showin them

between ;

For whiles they leuch,4 and whiles for joy they gret;:5

Whiles kissit sweet, and whiles in armis plet.6

I keep the right auld custom of my dame,
And of my sire living in poverty,
For landis have we none in property.

IX.

"My fair sister," quoth she, "have me excused,

This rude diet and I cannot accord;

And thus they fure, till sobert was their With tender meat my stomach aye is used;
mood,
For why, I fare as well as any lord.
Syne foot for foot unto the chalmer yud., Thir withered peas and nuts, or2 they be

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When they were lodgit thus, thir silly mice, The youngest sister until her buttrie yeid, Brought forth nuttis, and peas, instead of spice

bored,

Will break my teeth, and make my wame full slender,

Whilk was before used to meatis tender."

X.

"Weel, weel, sister," quoth the rural Mouse,

'Gif it please you sic things as ye see here, Both meat and drink, and harbery and house,

Shall be your awin, will ye remain all year, Ye shall it have with blithe and merry cheer;

And that should make the messes that are rude,

Gif this was good fare, I do it on them Among friends right tender, and wonder beside,

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good.

XI.

"What pleasure is in feastis delicate, The whilk are given with a gloomand brow; A gentle heart is better recreate

With blithe courage than seethe to him a

COW;

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