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Of science though the soul be bare and Summoned the Sheep before the Wolf,

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And on the sheep sent forth a strait Agane" the Sheep to procure the sentence; Though it were false, they have no conscience.

summoun.

II.

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The Sheep again before the Wolf derenyeit,3

But4 advocate, abaisedly couth 5 stand.

He bad the parties choose, with one assent,
Two arbitours, as in the law is used,
For to declare and give arbitrement,
Whither the Sheep should answer in Up rose the Dog, and on the Sheep thus

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The Beir, the Brok,3 the matter took on hand

For to decide, gif this exception

plained;

For certain bread; thereto a borrow he "Ane sum I payèd have before the hand

fand,

That wrongously the Sheep held frae him bread,

Whilk he denyèd; and there began the plead."

XIV.

Was of nae strength, nor lawfully might And when the Sheep this strife had con

stand:

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testait,

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Lawrence' the actis and the process wrait, And soon the plea unto the end they speed. This cursed court corrupted all for meid, Agains good faith, law, and eke conscience;

For this false Dog pronounced the sentence.

XV.

And it to put in execution,

And has with him ane cursed assize about, And dytis1 all the poor men uponland.❜ Fra3 the coroner have laid on him his wand;♦ Though he were true as ever was Sanct Johne,

Slain shall he be, or with the judge compone. 5

XIX.

This Raven I liken to ane false coroner,

The Wolf charged the Sheep, without delay, Whilk has ane porteous of the indictment,

Under the pain of interdiction,

The sum of silver, or the bread to pay. Of this sentence, alas! what shall I say? Whilk damned has the silly innocent, And justified the wrongous judgment.

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And said, "Lord God, why sleepis thou so long?

Wake and discern my cause, grounded

in right;

Look how I am, by fraud, maistry, and slight,

Peeled full bare; and so is many one Now in this world, right wonder wo-begone,

XXIII.

"See how this cursed sin of covetice,
Exiled has both love, lawty, and law;
Now few or nane will execute justice;
In fault of whom the poor man is o'erthraw
The verity, suppose the judge it knaw,
He is so blinded with affection,
But dread, for might he lettis the right go

down.

XXIV.

"Sees thou not, Lord, this world o'erturned is,

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Was gild-brother, and made ane free burgess.

Toll-free also, but custom,7 mair or less, And freedom had to gae where ere she list

As who would change good gold in lead Among the cheese and meal, in ark and kist.

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My mother said, sister, when we were born,

Their heartly cheer, Lord God! gif ye had That ye and I lay both within ane wame;1

seen,

Was kithit when that thir 3 two sisters met, And great kindness was showin them between;

For whiles they leuch, and whiles for joy they gret ;15

Whiles kissit sweet, and whiles in armis plet.6

I keep the right auld custom of my dame,
And of my sire living in poverty,
For landis have we none in property.

IX.

"My fair sister," quoth she, "have me excused,

This rude diet and I cannot accord;

For why, I fare as well as any lord.

And thus they fure, till sobert was their With tender meat my stomach aye is used; mood, Syne foot for foot unto the chalmer yud., Thir withered peas and nuts, or they be

VI.

As I heard say, it was a simple wane
Of fog and fern, full feebly was it made,
A silly scheill under a steadfast stane,
Of whilk the entry was not high nor braid :
And in the same they went but mair abaid,9
Withouten fire or candle burnand bright,
For commonly sic pickers likes not light.

VII.

10

When they were lodgit thus, thir silly mice, The youngest sister until her buttrie yeid, 1 Brought forth nuttis, and peas, instead of spice

bored,

Will break my teeth, and make my wame full slender,

Whilk was before used to meatis tender."

X.

"Weel, weel, sister," quoth the rural Mouse,

Gif it please you sic things as ye see here, Both meat and drink, and harbery and house,

Shall be your awin, will ye remain all year, Ye shall it have with blithe and merry

cheer;

And that should make the messes that are rude,

Gif this was good fare, I do it on them Among friends right tender, and wonder

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