flay :7

If this be true, speir 8 ye at them that saw.

THE MORAL.

XX.

My brother, gif thou will take advertence,9 By this fable, thou may perceive and see It passes for all kind of pestilence,

Ane wicked mind with wordis fair and slee.

Beware, therefore, with whom thou fellows

thee:

To thee were better bear the stane barrow, For all thy days to delve while thou may dree, 10

Than to be matched with ane wicked marrow. II

XXI.

A false intent under a fair presence,
Has caused many innocent for to dee;
Great folly is to give ower soon credence,
To all that speakis fairly unto thee.
A silken tongue, a heart of cruelty,
Smitis more sore than any shot of arrow.
Brother if thou be wise, I reid 12 thee flee,
Than match thee with a thrawart feigned

marrow.

7 Clutched his claw. 8 Then.

5 Hawk sat on a branch.

9 Warning. Endure.

II Mate.

12 Advise.

Excelland far all mannis judgement.

For why? to Him all thing is aye present, Right as it is, or onytime shall be,

Before the sight of his divinity.

II.

Therefore our soul with sensuality
So fettered is in prison corporal,

We may not clearly understand, nor see
God as he is, nor things celestial.
Our mirk and deadly corps material,
Blindis the spiritual operation,

And everilk planet, in his proper sphere,
In moving makand harmony and sound.
The fire, the air, the water, and the ground,
Till understand it is enough, I wis,
That God in all his workis witty2 is.

VII.

Look well the fish that swimmis in the sea; Look well in earth all kind of beastial; The fowlis fair sae forcely 3 they flee, Sheddand the air with pennis great and small;