_
Riches turneth as a ball;
In all manner it is the best _in every condition._
Alway to thank God for all.
If thy good beginneth to pass,
And thou wax a poor man,
Take good comfort and bear good face,
And think on him that all good wan; _did win._
Christ himself forsooth began--
He may renew both bower and hall:
No better counsel I ne kan _am capable of._
But alway thank God for all.
Think on Job that was so rich;
He waxed poor from day to day;
His beastes died in each ditch;
His cattle vanished all away;
He was put in poor array,
Neither in purple nor in pall,
But in simple weed, as clerkes say, _clothes: learned men._
And alway he thanked God for all.
For Christes love so do we;[44]
He may both give and take;
In what mischief that we in be, _whatever trouble we
He is mighty enough our sorrow to slake. [be in._
Full good amends he will us make,
And we to him cry or call: _if._
What grief or woe that do thee thrall,[45]
Yet alway thank God for all.
Though thou be in prison cast,
Or any distress men do thee bede, _offer._
For Christes love yet be steadfast,
And ever have mind on thy creed;
Think he faileth us never at need,
The dearworth duke that deem us shall;[46]
When thou art sorry, thereof take heed,[47]
And alway thank God for all.
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