Page:Disciplina Clericalis (English translation) from the fifteenth century Worcester Cathedral Manuscript F. 172.djvu/19

  of utter weariness. He must also preserve his strength of mind, so that he may more easily remember the means by which his nature is to be softened and sweetened. For if this is forgotten he will require many other things to make him recall what he has forgotten. I have therefore composed this little book partly from the sayings and warnings of philosophers, partly from Arabic proverbs and admonitions both in prose and verse, and partly from fables about animals and birds. And I have carefully considered the method, so that, should I write at great length, the contents might not be a hindrance instead of a help to the reader; but that both reader and hearer might have an opportunity and a desire to commit them to memory. And they who gain knowledge by means of this book will recall the things they have forgotten. The title of the book is one growing out of its theme, that is, Clericalis Disciplina; for it treats of the trained priest. But I have decided to exclude everything, as far as possible, from this treatise that is contrary to our belief or different from our faith. To this end may the omnipotent God on whom I rely assist me. Amen.

If to any man this litel Epistil renne bi his vtter eye and sumwhat in it he shal see that kyndely cause and nature to his more subtil eye, eft and eft I and do warne he ageyn to Rede. And last to hym and to al thoe that bien of parfite feith of holichirche I sette and put to. and the Philosophre nat any thyng to be parfite in mannes invenciouns or fyndynges.

Therfor Enoch the philosophre, whiche in Arabik tung is named Edriche, saide to his sone: "The of god be thy busynes and lucre and wynnyng shal come to the without any labour." Another Philosophre saith: "Who that dredith the lord al thynges dreeden hym. Forsoth who that dredith nat god is of al thyng." Another philosophre saith: "Who that loveth god dredith god. And who that lovith god is obedient vnto god."

Socrates saide to his disciples: "See ye that ye bien nat seide obedient and inobedient in the same." The Enucheies saiden vnto hym: "What to vs leve Ipocresy?" [He said] : "Forsoth it is Ipocresy for to make symulacioun of obedience to god bifore men and in hid thyng or secret to be