Three Sayings

Ther beth four thinges that maketh a man a fool,
Hónour first putteth him in outrage,
And alder-next solitarie and sool;
The second is unweldy croked age;
Women also bring men in dotage;
And mighty wyne, in many dyvers wyse,
Distempreth folk which that ben holden wyse.

Ther beth four thinges causing gret folye,
Honour first, and than unweldy age;
Women and wyne, I dar eek specifye,
Make wyse men to fallen in dotage;
Wherfore, by counseil of philosophers sage,
In gret honour, lerne this of me,
With thyn estat have eek humilitee.

If it befalle, that god thee list visyte
With any tourment or adversitee,
Thank first the lord; and than, thyself to quyte,
Upon suffrauncë and humilitee
Found thou thy quarrel, what-ever that it be;
Mak thy defence (and thou shall have no losse)
The rémembraunce of Crist and of his crosse.