It is sayd that a man in servytude

"It is sayd that a man in servytude Hym putteth, whan he doth to woman bende: He ne hath but only habytude Unto her the whiche well doth hym tende. Who wyll to householde comprehende, And there a bout studyeth in youth alwayes, He shall have honoure in his olde dayes.

"Some chyldren unto the courtes hauntes, And ben purvayed of benefyces; Some haunteth markettes and be marchauntes, Byenge and sellynge theyr marchaundyses; Or elles constytuted in offyces. Theyr faders and moders have grete solace, That to late maryed by no waye hase.

"I be wayll the tyme that is so spent, That I ne me hasted for to wedde; For I shall have herytage and rente, Both golde and sylver and kynred; But syth that our lorde hath ordeyned That I this sacrament take me upon, I wyll kepe it trewely at all season."