Chaucerian and Other Pieces/Piece26

by John Walton

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XXVI. PROSPERITY.

Richt as povert causith sobirnes,
And febilnes enforcith contenence,
Richt so prosperitee and gret riches
The moder is of vice and negligence;
And powere also causith insolence; 5
And honour oftsiss chaungith gude thewis;
Thare is no more perilous pestilence
Than hie estate geven unto schrewis.
Quod Chaucere.

XXVI. From MS. Arch. Seld. B. 24, fol. 119; I give rejected spellings. 3. Rycht; grete. 7. perilouss.