It nedeth noght that I delate The pris which preised is algate, [Sidenote: Hic tractat de quarta Principum regiminis Policia, que Pietas dicta est; per quam Principes erga populum misericordes effecti misericordiam altissimi gracius[1202] consequuntur.] And hath ben evere and evere schal, Wherof to speke in special, It is the vertu of Pite, Thurgh which the hihe mageste Was stered, whan his Sone alyhte, And in pite the world to rihte 3110 Tok of the Maide fleissh and blod. Pite was cause of thilke good, Wherof that we ben alle save: Wel oghte a man Pite to have And the vertu to sette in pris, Whan he himself which is al wys Hath schewed why it schal be preised. Pite may noght be conterpeised Of tirannie with no peis; For Pite makth a king courteis 3120 Bothe in his word and in his dede. [Sidenote: Nota.[1203]] It sit wel every liege drede His king and to his heste obeie, And riht so be the same weie It sit a king to be pitous Toward his poeple and gracious [Sidenote: =P. iii. 191=] Upon the reule of governance, So that he worche no vengance, Which mai be cleped crualte. Justice which doth equite 3130 Is dredfull, for he noman spareth; Bot in the lond wher Pite fareth The king mai nevere faile of love, For Pite thurgh the grace above, So as the Philosophre affermeth,[1204] His regne in good astat confermeth.* * * * * *