How grett glorious Godd, thurgh grace of Hym seluen,
And the precyous prayere of Hys prys Modyr,
Schelde vs fro schamesdede and synfull werkes,
And gyffe vs grace to gye and gouerne vs here,
In this wrechyd werld, thorowe vertous lywynge,
That we may kayre til Hys courte, the kyngdom of Hevyne,
When oure saules schall parte and sundyre fra the body,
Ewyre to belde and to byde in blysse wyth Hym seluen;
And wysse me to werpe owte som worde at this tym
That nothyre voyde be ne vayne, bot wyrchip till Hym selvyn,
Plesande and profitabill to the popule \at them heres.
~e that liste has to lyth or luffes for to here
Off elders of alde tym and of theire awke dedys,
How they were lele in theire lawe and louede God Almyghty,
Herkynes me heyndly and holdys |ow styll,
And I sall tell |ow a tale \at trewe es and nobyll,
Off the ryeall renkys of the Rownnde Table,
That chefe ware of cheualrye and cheftans nobyll,
Bathe ware in thire werkes and wyse men of armes,
Doughty in theire doyngs and dredde . . .
