XXVI. PROSPERITY.
Richt as povert causith sobirnes,
And febilnes enforcith contenence,
Richt so prosperitee and gret riches
The moder is of vice and negligence;
And powere also causith insolence; 5
And honour oftsiss chaungith gude thewis;
Thare is no more perilous pestilence
Than hie estate geven unto schrewis.
Quod Chaucere.
XXVI. From MS. Arch. Seld. B. 24, fol. 119; I give rejected spellings. 3. Rycht; grete. 7. perilouss.