Three Sayings

(A). A SAYING OF DAN JOHN.

Ther beth four thinges that maketh a man a fool, Hónour first putteth him in outrage, And alder-next solitarie and sool; The second is unweldy croked age; Women also bring men in dotage; And mighty wyne, in many dyvers wyse, Distempreth folk which [that] ben holden wyse.

(B). YET OF THE SAME.

Ther beth four thinges causing gret folye, Honour first, and [than] unweldy age; Women and wyne, I dar eek specifye, Make wyse men [to] fallen in dotage; Wherfore, by counseil of philosophers sage, In gret honour, lerne this of me, With thyn estat have [eek] humilitee.

(C). BALADE DE BON CONSAIL.

If it befalle, that god thee list visyte With any tourment or adversitee, Thank first the lord; and [than], thyself to quyte, Upon suffrauncë and humilitee Found thou thy quarrel, what-ever that it be; Mak thy defence (and thou shall have no losse) The rémembraunce of Crist and of his crosse.