A sergeant of the Lawe, ware and wise,
That often had ybeen at the Parvys,[116]
There was also, full rich of excellence.
Discreet he was and of great reverence;
He seemed such, his wordes were so wise;
Justice he was full often in assize,
By patent and by plein[117] commission.
For his science, and for his high renown,
Of fees and robes had he many one;
So great a purchaser[118] was nowhere none;
All was fee simple to him in effect,
His purchasing mighte not be infect.[119]
Nowhere so busy a man as he there nas,
And yet he seemed busier than he was.
In termes had he case and doomes[120] all,
That from the time of King William were fall.
Thereto he could indite, and make a thing,
There coulde no wight pinch[121] at his writing;
And every statute could[122] he plein[123] by rote.
He rode but homely in a medley[124] coat,
Girt with a ceint[125] of silk, with barres smale[126];
Of his array tell I no lenger tale.