[Sidenote: Constantinus Imperator ait: ‘Vere se dominum esse comprobat, qui seruum pietatis se facit.’] Thus seide whilom Constantin:[1208] ‘What Emperour that is enclin To Pite forto be servant, Of al the worldes remenant 3140 He is worthi to ben a lord.’ [Sidenote: Troianus ait, quod ipse subditos suos solite pietatis fauore magis quam austeritatis rigore regere, eorumque benevolenciam pocius quam timorem penes se attractare proponebat.[1209]] In olde bokes of record This finde I write of essamplaire:[1210] Troian the worthi debonaire, Be whom that Rome stod governed, Upon a time as he was lerned (3190*) Of that he was to familier, He seide unto that conseiller,[1211] That forto ben an Emperour His will was noght for vein honour, 3150 Ne yit for reddour of justice; Bot if he myhte in his office [Sidenote: =P. iii. 193=] Hise lordes and his poeple plese, Him thoghte it were a grettere ese With love here hertes to him drawe, Than with the drede of eny lawe. (3200*) For whan a thing is do for doute, Fulofte it comth the worse aboute; Bot wher a king is Pietous,[1212] He is the more gracious, 3160 That mochel thrift him schal betyde, Which elles scholde torne aside.* * * * * *