So as god wolde, he wente ariht, As he which hield the hihe weie, And thanne he sih in a valleie 3320* Wher that the Jew liggende was, Al blodi ded upon the gras, Which strangled was of a leoun. And as he lokede up and doun, He fond his asse faste by Forth with his harneis redely Al hol and sound, as he it lefte,[1233] Whan that the Jew it him berefte: Wherof he thonketh god knelende. Lo, thus a man mai knowe at ende, 3330* How the pitous pite deserveth. For what man that to pite serveth, As Aristotle it berth witnesse, God schal hise foomen so represse, That thei schul ay stonde under foote. Pite, men sein, is thilke roote Wherof the vertus springen alle: What infortune that befalle In eny lond, lacke of pite[1234] Is cause of thilke adversite; 3340* And that aldai mai schewe at yhe, Who that the world discretly syhe.[1235] Good is that every man therfore Take hiede of that is seid tofore; [Sidenote: =P. iii. 198=] For of this tale and othre ynowhe These noble princes whilom drowhe Here evidence and here aprise, As men mai finde in many a wise,[1236] Who that these olde bokes rede: And thogh thei ben in erthe dede, 3350* Here goode name may noght deie For Pite, which thei wolde obeie, To do the dedes of mercy. And who this tale redily Remembre, as Aristotle it tolde, He mai the will of god beholde Upon the point as it was ended, Wherof that pite stod commended, Which is to charite felawe, As thei that kepen bothe o lawe.[1237] 3360* * * * * *