Page:The booke of thenseygnementes and techynge that the Knyght of the Towre made to his doughters - 1902.pdf/146

 must ordeyne, and departe to the poure folke a parte of them, in suche wyse that he haue no cause to repreue yow therof."

Whanne themperour had herd hym, he was wel pleased with hym that he had so sayd, and sayd two wordes, "More worthe is the frend whiche prycketh than the flaterynge frend whiche enoynteth." Thus he spak by cause that his other frendes had spoken to hym of bodyly helthe only for to please hym, but the same spake to hym of the saluacion of his sowle; for who that loueth the body of very loue ought in especiall to loue the sowle. And none oughte to cele or hyde nothynge fro his frend yf it be his prouffyte and honour. And for loue ne for hate of ony body he ought not to counceylle hym but trewely after his power as a good and trewe frend shold doo, and not flatere hym ne make the placebo, as dyd the frendes of themperour, whiche knewe wel that he coude not scape fro dethe, and durste not say ne shewe vnto hym the prouffyte of his soule, the which his trewe frend and pouer chamberlayne putte in the waye of saluacion. For themperour byleuyd hym and gaf and departed largely of his goodes to the poure for the loue of god.