Gentilesse
The
firste
stok,
fader
of
gentilesse
—
What
man
that
desireth
gentil
for
to
be
Must
folowe
his
trace,
and
alle
his
wittes
dresse
Vertu
to
love
and
vyces
for
to
flee.
For
unto
vertu
longeth
dignitee
And
noght
the
revers,
saufly
dar
I
deme,
Al
were
he
mytre,
croune,
or
diademe.
This
firste
stok
was
ful
of
rightwisnesse,
Trewe
of
his
word,
sobre,
pitous,
and
free,
Clene
of
his
gost,
and
loved
besinesse,
Ayeinst
the
vyce
of
slouthe,
in
honestee;
And,
but
his
heir
love
vertu
as
dide
he,
He
is
noght
gentil,
thogh
he
riche
seme,
Al
were
he
mytre,
croune,
or
diademe.
Vyce
may
wel
be
heir
to
old
richesse,
But
ther
may
no
man,
as
men
may
wel
see,
Bequethe
his
heir
his
vertuous
noblesse
(That
is
appropred
unto
no
degree
But
to
the
firste
fader
in
magestee,
That
maketh
hem
his
heyres
that
him
queme),
