[Sidenote: [THE MOUNTAIN AND THE MOUSE.]] As it be olde daies fell, I rede whilom that an hell [Sidenote: Hic loquitur secundum Philosophum, dicens quod sicut non decet Principes tirannica impetuositate esse crudeles, ita nec decet timorosa pusillanimitate esse vecordes.] Up in the londes of Archade A wonder dredful noise made;[1284] For so it fell that ilke day, This hell on his childinge lay, And whan the throwes on him come, His noise lich the day of dome 3560 Was ferfull in a mannes thoght Of thing which that thei sihe noght, Bot wel thei herden al aboute The noise, of which thei were in doute, As thei that wenden to be lore Of thing which thanne was unbore. [Sidenote: =P. iii. 212=] The nerr this hell was upon chance To taken his deliverance, The more unbuxomliche he cride; And every man was fledd aside, 3570 For drede and lefte his oghne hous: And ate laste it was a Mous, The which was bore and to norrice Betake; and tho thei hield hem nyce,[1285] For thei withoute cause dradde.[1286] Thus if a king his herte ladde With every thing that he schal hiere, Fulofte he scholde change his chiere And upon fantasie drede, Whan that ther is no cause of drede. 3580 [Sidenote: Nota hic secundum Oracium de magnanimo Yacide et pusillanime Thersite.] Orace to his Prince tolde, That him were levere that he wolde Upon knihthode Achillem suie In time of werre, thanne eschuie, So as Tersites dede at Troie. Achilles al his hole joie Sette upon Armes forto fihte; Tersites soghte al that he myhte Unarmed forto stonde in reste:[1287] Bot of the tuo it was the beste 3590 That Achilles upon the nede Hath do, wherof his knyhtlihiede[1288] Is yit comended overal. [Sidenote: Salomon. Tempus belli, tempus pacis.] King Salomon in special Seith, as ther is a time of pes, So is a time natheles [Sidenote: =P. iii. 213=] Of werre, in which a Prince algate Schal for the comun riht debate And for his oghne worschipe eke. Bot it behoveth noght to seke 3600 [Sidenote: [THERE IS A TIME FOR WAR.]] Only the werre for worschipe, Bot to the riht of his lordschipe, (3800*) Which he is holde to defende, Mote every worthi Prince entende. [Sidenote: Nota qualiter inter duo extrema consistit virtus.] Betwen the simplesce of Pite And the folhaste of crualte, Wher stant the verray hardiesce,[1289] Ther mote a king his herte adresce, Whanne it is time to forsake, And whan time is also to take 3610 The dedly werres upon honde,