| 240 |
Oure Lord Jhesu, as hooly writ devyseth, |
| Yaf us ensample of fastynge and preyeres - |
| Therfore we mendynantz, we sely freres - |
| Been wedded to poverte and continence, |
| To charite, humblesse, and abstinence, |
| 245 | To persecucioun for rightwisnesse, |
| To wepynge, misericorde, and clennesse. |
| And therfore may ye se that oure preyeres - |
| I speke of us, we mendynantz, we freres - |
| Been to the hye God moore acceptable |
| 250 | Than youres, with youre feestes at the table. |
| Fro Paradys first, if I shal nat lye, |
| Was man out chaced for his glotonye; |
| And chaast was man in paradys, certeyn. |
|
| 240 | Our Lord Christ, as the holy writ apprises, |
| Gave us example of fasting and of prayers. |
| Therefore we mendicants, we simple friars, |
| Are married to poverty and continence, |
| To charity, meekness, and abstinence, |
| 245 | To persecution for our righteousness, |
| To weeping, pity, and to cleanliness. |
| And therefore may you see that all our prayers - |
| I speak of us, we mendicants, we friars - |
| Are to the High God far more acceptable |
| 250 | Than yours, with all the feasts you make at table. |
| From Paradise, if I am not to lie, |
| Was man chased out because of gluttony; |
| And chaste was man in Paradise, that's plain. |
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