Flee from the press, and dwell with soothfastness[415];
Suffice thine owen thing, though it be small;
For hoard hath hate, and climbing tickleness,[416]
Press hath envy, and weal blent[417] overall[418];
Savour no more than thee behove shall;
Rule well thyself, that other folk canst rede[419];
And truthe shall deliver, it is no drede.[420]
Tempest thee not all crooked to redress,
In trust of her that turneth as a ball:
For great rest stands in little business;
Beware also to spurn against an awl;
Strive not as doth the crocke with the wall;
Daunte thyself that dauntest otheres deed,
And truthe shall deliver, it is no drede.[420]
That[421] thee is sent receive in buxomness,[422]
The wrestling for this world asketh a fall:
Here is none home, here nis[423] but wilderness:
Forth, pilgrim, forth! Forth, beast, out of thy stall!
Know thy country, look up, thank God of all;
Hold the high way, and let thy ghost[424] thee lead,
And truthe shall deliver, it is no drede.[420]