And if the lawe torne amis, The poeple also mistorned is. [Sidenote: [JUSTICE OF MAXIMIN.]] And in ensample of this matiere [Sidenote: Nota hic de iusticia Maximini Imperatoris, qui cum alicuius prouincie custodem sibi substituere volebat, primo de sui nominis fama proclamacione facta ipsius condicionem diligencius inuestigabat.] Of Maximin a man mai hiere, Of Rome which was Emperour, That whanne he made a governour Be weie of substitucion Of Province or of region, 2770 [Sidenote: =P. iii. 179=] He wolde ferst enquere his name, And let it openly proclame What man he were, or evel or good. And upon that his name stod Enclin to vertu or to vice,[1171] So wolde he sette him in office, Or elles putte him al aweie. Thus hield the lawe his rihte weie, Which fond no let of covoitise: The world stod than upon the wise, 2780 As be ensample thou myht rede; And hold it in thi mynde, I rede. [Sidenote: [GAIUS FABRICIUS.]] In a Cronique I finde thus, Hou that Gayus Fabricius, Which whilom was Consul of Rome, [Sidenote: Hic ponit exemplum de iudicibus incorruptis. Et narrat qualiter Gayus Fabricius nuper Rome Consul aurum a Sampnitibus sibi oblatum renuit, dicens quod nobilius est aurum possidentes dominio subiugare, quam ex auri cupiditate dominii libertatem amittere.] Be whom the lawes yede and come, Whan the Sampnites to him broghte A somme of gold, and him besoghte (2800*) To don hem favour in the lawe, Toward the gold he gan him drawe, 2790 Wherof in alle mennes lok A part up in his hond he tok,[1172] Which to his mouth in alle haste He putte, it forto smelle and taste,[1173] And to his yhe and to his Ere, Bot he ne fond no confort there: And thanne he gan it to despise, And tolde unto hem in this wise: ‘I not what is with gold to thryve, Whan non of all my wittes fyve 2800 [Sidenote: =P. iii. 180=] Fynt savour ne delit therinne. So is it bot a nyce Sinne Of gold to ben to covoitous; Bot he is riche and glorious, Which hath in his subjeccion Tho men whiche in possession[1174] Ben riche of gold, and be this skile; For he mai aldai whan he wile, Or be hem lieve or be hem lothe, Justice don upon hem bothe.’ 2810 Lo, thus he seide, and with that word He threw tofore hem on the bord The gold out of his hond anon, And seide hem that he wolde non:[1175] So that he kepte his liberte To do justice and equite, Withoute lucre of such richesse. Ther be nou fewe of suche, I gesse; For it was thilke times used,