¶ The xviij fable is of the theef / and of the child whiche wepte
E is a fole that putteth his good in
jeopardy to leſe it for to gete &
haue ſom others good / as it appereth
by this fable of a theef
whiche fond a child wepynge beſyde
a welle / of whom the theef dyde aſke why
he wepte / & the child anſwerd to hym I wepe /
by cauſe that I haue lete falle within this welle
a loket of gold / & thenne the theef toke of his
clothes / & ſette them on the ground and wente
doune in to the welle / And as he was doune
the child toke his gowne & lefte hym within
the welle / And thus for couetyſe to wynne / he
loſt his gowne / For ſuche ſuppoſen to wynne
ſomtyme whiche leſen / And therfore none
ought to wyſſhe that / that he hath not / to
thende that he leſeth not that / that he hath /
For of the thynge wrongfully and euylle goten /
the thyrd heyre ſhalle neuer be ppſſeſſour[errata 1] of hit.
