|
Lo, how that dronken Looth, unkyndely |
| 200 | Lay by hise doghtres two, unwityngly; |
| So dronke he was, he nyste what he wroghte. |
| Herodes, whoso wel the stories soghte, |
| Whan he of wyn was repleet at his feeste, |
| Right at his owene table he yaf his heeste |
| 205 | To sleen the Baptist John, ful giltelees. |
| Senec seith a good word, doutelees; |
| He seith, he kan no difference fynde |
| Bitwix a man that is out of his mynde, |
| And a man which that is dronkelewe, |
| 210 | But that woodnesse fallen in a shrewe |
| Persevereth lenger than dooth dronkenesse. |
| O glotonye, ful of cursednesse! |
| O cause first of oure confusioun! |
| O original of oure dampnacioun |
| 215 | Til Crist hadde boght us with his blood agayn! |
| Lo, how deere, shortly for to sayn, |
| Aboght was thilke cursed vileynye! |
| Corrupt was al this world for glotonye! |
|
| Lo, how the drunken Lot unnaturally |
| 200 | Lay with his daughters two, unknowingly; |
| So drunk he was he knew not what he wrought. |
| Herod, as in his story's clearly taught, |
| When full of wine and merry at a feast, |
| Sitting at table idly gave behest |
| 205 | To slay John Baptist, who was all guiltless. |
| Seneca says a good word too, doubtless; |
| He says there is no difference he can find |
| Between a man that's quite out of his mind |
| And one that's drunken, save perhaps in this |
| 210 | That when a wretch in madness fallen is, |
| The state lasts longer than does drunkenness. |
| O gluttony; full of all wickedness, |
| O first cause of confusion to us all, |
| Beginning of damnation and our fall, |
| 215 | Till Christ redeemed us with His blood again! |
| Behold how dearly, to be brief and plain, |
| Was purchased this accursed villainy; |
| Corrupt was all this world with gluttony! |
|
