18
LIBER
& the poure rat wiſt not whyther he ſhold goo ne flee / But hyd hym behynd the dore with grete fere and drede / and the bouteler turned ageyne and ſawe hym not / And whan he was gone the fatte rat cam out of his cauerne or hole / and called the poure ratte / whiche yet was ſhakynge for fere / and ſaid to hym / come hyder and be not aferd / & ete as moche as thou wylt / And the poure rat ſayd to hym / for goddes loue lete me go oute of this celer / For I haue better ete ſome corne in the feldes and lyue ſurely / than to be ever in this torment / for thou arte here in grete doubte & lyueſt not ſurely / And therfore hit is good to lyue pourely & ſurely For the poure lyueth more ſurely than the ryche