Specimens of English literature from the 'Ploughmans crede' to the ...

XX. (c) SATIRE in. 231But, if so chance thou get nought of the man,The wydow may for all thy charge deburs ^ 60A riueld skynne, a stinkyng breath ; what than ?A tothelesse mouth shall do thy lippes no harme.The golde is good, and, though she curse or banne,^'et, where thee list,thou mayest lye good and warmeLet the olde mule bite vpon the bridle, 65Whilst there do lye a sweter in thine arme.In this also se thou be not idleThy nece, thy cosyn, thy sister, or thy daughter,If she bee faire, if handsome be her middle,If thy better hath her loue besought her, 70Auaunce his cause, and he shall helpe thy nede.It is but loue ; turne thou ^ it to a laughter.But ware, I say, so gold thee helpe and spede,That in this case thou be not so vnwiseAs Pandar was in such a like dede. 75For he, the fole ! of conscience was so nice.That he no gaine would haue for all his payne.Be next thy-selfe, for frendshyp beares no price.I^aughest thou at me ? why ? do I speake in vaine ?'No, not at thee, but at thy thrifty iest. 80Wouldest thou, Ishould for any losse or gayne,Change that for golde that I haue tane for bestNext godly thinges : to haue an honest name ?Should I leaue that ? then take me for a beast.'Nay then, farewell, and if thou care for shame ; 8.5Content thee then with honest pouertieWith free tong, what thee mislikes, to blame.And, for thy trouth, sometime aduersitie.^Second ed. ' disburse.'2 The second ed. inserts'thou,' but omits ' a ' in this line.