[Sidenote: Virtue is not embellished by dignities, but dignities derive honour from virtue.]
¶ And þerfore it is þus þat hono{ ur} ne comeþ nat to vertue for cause of dignite. but a[gh]einward. hono{ ur} comeþ to dignite by cause of vertue.
[Sidenote: But what is this power, so much celebrated and desired?]
but whiche is 1376 [gh]oure derworþe power þat is so clere { and} so requerable
[Sidenote: What are they over whom you exercise authority?]
¶ O [gh]e erþelyche bestes considere [gh]e nat ouer whiche þing þat it semeþ þat [gh]e han power.
[Sidenote: If thou sawest a mouse assuming command over other mice, wouldst thou not almost burst with laughter?]
¶ Now yif þou say[e] a mouse amo{ n}g{ us} *oþer myse þat chalenged[e] to 1380 hymself ward ry[gh]t { and} power ouer alle oþer myse. how gret scorne woldest þou han of hit. ¶ _Glosa._ ¶ So fareþ it by men. þe body haþ power ouer þe body.
[Sidenote: What is more feeble than man, to whom the bite of a fly may be the cause of death?]
For yif þow loke wel vpon þe body of a wy[gh]t what 1384 þing shalt þou fynde moore frele þan is mannes kynde. þe whiche ben ful ofte slayn wiþ bytynge of smale flies. or ellys wiþ þe entryng of crepyng wormes in to þe priuetees of mennes bodyes.
[Sidenote: But how can any man obtain dominion over another, unless it be over his body, or, what is inferior to his body,--over his possessions, the gifts of Fortune?]
¶ But wher shal 1388 men fynden any man þat may exercen or haunten any ry[gh]t vpon an oþer ma{ n} but oonly vpon hys body. or ellys vpo{ n} þinges þat ben lower þen þe body. whiche I clepe fortunous possessiou{ n}s
[Sidenote: Can you ever command a freeborn soul?]
¶ Mayst þou euer haue 1392 any comaundement ouer a fre corage
[Sidenote: Can you disturb a soul consistent with itself, and knit together by the bond of reason?]
¶ Mayst þou remuen fro þe estat of hys p{ ro}pre reste. a þou[gh]t þat is cleuyng to gider in hym self by stedfast resou{ n}. ¶ As somtyme a tiraunt wende to co{ n}founde a freeman of 1396 corage ¶ { And} wende to co{ n}streyne hym by to{ ur}ment [[pg 53]] to maken hym dyscoueren { and} acusen folk þat wisten of a coniurac{ i}ou{ n}. whiche I clepe a confederacie þat was cast a[gh]eins þis tyraunt