To trete upon the maidenhiede, [Sidenote: Milicia est vita hominis super terram.[509]] The bok seith that a mannes lif Upon knyhthode in werre and strif[510] Is sett among hise enemys: The frele fleissh, whos nature is Ai redy forto sporne and falle, The ferste foman is of alle; For thilke werre is redi ai, It werreth nyht, it werreth dai, 6420* So that a man hath nevere reste. Forthi is thilke knyht the beste, Thurgh myht and grace of goddes sonde Which that bataille mai withstonde: Wherof yit duelleth the memoire Of hem that whilom the victoire Of thilke dedly werre hadden;[511] The hih prouesse which thei ladden, [Sidenote: =P. ii. 343=] Wherof the Soule stod amended,[512] Upon this erthe is yit commended.[513] 6430* [Sidenote: Hic loquitur qualiter Valentinianus Imperator, cum ipse octogenarius plures prouincias Romano Imperio belliger subiugasset, dixit se super omnia magis gaudere de eo quod contra[514] sue carnis concupiscenciam victoriam optinuisset; nam et ipse virgo omnibus diebus vite sue castissimus[515] permansit.] An Emperour be olde daies Ther was, and he at alle assaies A worthi knyht was of his hond, Ther was non such in al the lond; Bot yit for al his vasselage He stod unwedded al his age,[516] And in Cronique as it is told, He was an hundred wynter old. Bot whan men wolde etc. (_as_ 6405 ff.) * * * * *