'It is wel knowe, bothe to reson and experience in doinge, 5 every active worcheth on his passive; and whan they ben togider, "active" and "passive" ben y-cleped by these philosophers. If fyr be in place chafinge thing able to be chafed or hete[d], and thilke thinges ben set in suche a distaunce that the oon may werche, the other shal suffre. Thilke Margarite thou desyrest is 10 ful of vertue, and able to be active in goodnesse: but every herbe sheweth his vertue outforth from within. The sonne yeveth light, that thinges may be seye. Every fyr heteth thilke thing that it +neigheth, and it be able to be hete[d]. Vertue of this Margarite outforth +wercheth; and nothing is more able to suffre worching, 15 or worke cacche of the actife, but passife of the same actife; and no passife, to vertues of this Margaryte, but thee, in al my Donet can I fynde! So that her vertue muste nedes on thee werche; in what place ever thou be, within distaunce of her worthinesse, as her very passife thou art closed. But vertue may thee nothing 20 profyte, but thy desyr be perfourmed, and al thy sorowes cesed. _Ergo_, through werchinge of her vertue thou shalt esely ben holpen, and driven out of al care, and welcome to this longe by thee desyred!' 'Lady,' quod I, 'this is a good lesson in ginning of my joye; 25 but wete ye wel forsothe, though I suppose she have moche vertue, I wolde my spousaile were proved, and than may I live out of doute, and rejoice me greetly, in thinking of tho vertues so shewed.' 'I herde thee saye,' quod she, 'at my beginning, whan I receyved 30 thee firste for to serve, that thy jewel, thilke Margaryte thou desyrest, was closed in a muskle with a blewe shel.' 'Ye, forsothe,' quod I; 'so I sayd; and so it is.'