![Manuscript](../img_360/123r_360.jpg) |
6181 And preche us povert and distresse,
6182 And fisshen hem silf gret richesse
6183 With wily nettis that they cast:
6184 It wole come foule out at the last.
6185 They ben fro clene religioun went;
6186 They make the world an Argument
6187 That a foule conclusioun.
6188 "I have a robe of religioun,
6189 Thanne am I all religious:"
6190 This argument is all roignous;
6191 It is not worth a croked brere;
6192 Abit ne makith neithir monk ne frere,
6193 But clene lyf and devocioun
6194 Makith gode men of religioun.
6195 Netheles, ther kan noon Answere,
6196 How high that evere his heed he shere
6197 With resoun whetted never so kene,
6198 That gile in braunches kut thrittene;
6199 Ther can no wight distincte it so,
6200 That he dare sey a word therto.
6201 'But what herberwe that ever I take,
6202 Or what semblant that evere I make,
6203 I mene but gile, and folowe that;
6204 ffor right no mo than gibbe oure cat
|