|
Of alle men yblessed moot he be, |
| 330 | The wise astrologien, Daun Ptholome, |
| That seith this proverbe in his Almageste: |
| `Of alle men his wysdom is the hyeste, |
| That rekketh nevere who hath the world in honde.' |
| By this proverbe thou shalt understonde, |
| 335 | Have thou ynogh, what thar thee recche or care |
| How myrily that othere folkes fare? |
| For certeyn, olde dotard, by youre leve, |
| Ye shul have queynte right ynogh at eve. |
| He is to greet a nygard, that wolde werne |
| 340 | A man to lighte his candle at his lanterne; |
| He shal have never the lasse light, pardee, |
| Have thou ynogh, thee thar nat pleyne thee. |
|
| Of all men the most blessed may he be, |
| 330 | That wise astrologer, Dan Ptolemy, |
| Who says this proverb in his Almagest: |
| 'Of all men he's in wisdom the highest |
| That nothing cares who has the world in hand.' |
| And by this proverb shall you understand: |
| 335 | Since you've enough, why do you reck or care |
| How merrily all other people may fare? |
| For certainly, old dotard, by your leave, |
| You shall have cunt all right enough at eve. |
| He is too much a niggard who's so tight |
| 340 | That from his lantern he'll give none a light. |
| For he'll have never the less light, by gad; |
| Since you've enough, you need not be so sad. |
|
