Volume 16 — The Poor Ploughman.

A true worker and a good was he,

Living in peace and perfect charity;

God loved he, best, and that with alle his herte,

At alle times, were it gain or smart;

And then his neighbour right as himselve.

He wolde thresh, and thereto dyke and delve

For Christe's sake, for every poor wight

Withouten hire, if it lay in his might.

His tithes paid he full fair and well,

Both of his proper work, and his cattel.—S. Anselm.

[pg 176]