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Rich men befooled Well may you keep the solemn vow
You made against rich men but now:
We deem it nought but right and just.
And e’en if rich men put their trust
In you, and bow them ’neath your rules
And laws, they will but prove them fools.
Great lord, you shall in nowise break
Your solemn oath, nor cease to take
With others of the host divine
Your wonted draughts of piment wine.11380
And ladies shall for rich men brew
Such well-spiced drink, both sweet and new,
If they within their nets but fall,
That thence they ne’er shall ’scape at all.
So courteously their work they’ll do,
That you need nowise trouble you.
To triumph o’er them spare your care,
The ladies so will speak them fair,
That they will do your work although
Anigh them you forbear to go.11390
Discourse will they right pleasant tales,
And fool them till the daylight fails
With many a gentle coo and bill,
And secret clip and kiss, and fill
The time up so with blandishments,
That they shall work their full intents
Upon them, and delude them so,
That they of goods and lands shall go
Naked as needles. Speak forth then,
And, whether right or wrong, your men11400
Will your behests obey.
Great fear
False-Seeming hath to come anear.