Of niggard, or forsooth, doth give,
Only that he in peace may live;
Although his worldly goods he lose,
No profit from such alms ensues.
Saint Paul laboured
When worthy men to hear St. Paul
Flocked round, they offered him their all12050
For love of God; but he straightway
Refused, nor deigned his hands to stay
From useful work, whereby he gained
So much as all his need sustained.
Love.
But say then, in what way can live
A strong man who desires to give
Himself to God when he hath sold
His goods, as in the gospel told,
And made all over to the poor,
Yet, bound to prayer, would work no more:12060
May he do so?
False-Seeming.
Yea.
Love.
Tell me how.
False-Seeming.
This doth Saint Austin clearly show.
If men to God their lives have wed
Within an abbey garnishèd
With lands, where white and black monks are,
Or worthy canons regular,
