Page:Disciplina Clericalis (English translation) from the fifteenth century Worcester Cathedral Manuscript F. 172.djvu/63

  past. But thiese kyndly thynges as wel in vnmesurable floteryng variaunce of merites with ordynaunce of the high Ruler distinctith to arbitrement. This and the prophete Job strenghed to ensample of whos soule was nat devoured with losse of thynges. Whether hastow nat herd what the philosopher saith: 'Who may in this chaungeable world be any thyng stable, or who may in this lif any thyng to have enduryng while and whan thei bien so transitory'?"

The Arabik to (f. 133b) his sone: "Sone, whan any aduersite fallith to the, nyl thow be to sorowful neither therof be in to moche desolacioun, for this is nat the kynde nor the maner to denye god. But thow oughtest to praise god, as wele of adversite as of prosperite. Forsoth many evils fallen to men whiche that comen as to eschewe and flee the more and the gretter evils; and many [evil] thynges, fallen whiche enden in goode. And therfor thow ougtest to praise [god] in al thynges and. in hym to trust, as the versifiour saith: 'Whan thow art in sorow nyl thow be busy therof, but permytte and suffre the tyme in goddis disposicioun and tel ageyn alwey the goodenes to com; and so shaltow be foryeteful of evils, forwhi many evils comen whiche han a goode end.' The philosopher saith: 'The goodis of this world bien eveene myxt and medled. Forsoth thow etest no hony without venym.' Another 'Whatsumever bien in the world bien chaungeable; and what goodis thow hast of hem thei bien to come to the though it be or thow feeble be and of evil streng this thow mayst nat withstande.'

Another: 'Because they allow a slow person to obtain what he desires, they also refuse a swift person the obtaining of his.'

Another: 'He hymself beawtith the world with fairness and bi that he hath wonne that he wold the erth hym swolowith and devourith.' Another: 'As in a twynklyng of an eye endith the glorie and joies of the world; and as so free al abidith now, he seeth nat of thynges obteyned'."