| The firste stok, fader of gentilesse -- |
| What man that desireth gentil for to be |
| Must folowe his trace, and alle his wittes dresse |
| Vertu to love and vyces for to flee. |
| 5 | For unto vertu longeth dignitee |
| And noght the revers, saufly dar I deme, |
| Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. |
| |
| This firste stok was ful of rightwisnesse, |
| Trewe of his word, sobre, pitous, and free, |
| 10 | Clene of his gost, and loved besinesse, |
| Ayeinst the vyce of slouthe, in honestee; |
| And, but his heir love vertu as dide he, |
| He is noght gentil, thogh he riche seme, |
| Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. |
| |
| 15 | Vyce may wel be heir to old richesse, |
| But ther may no man, as men may wel see, |
| Bequethe his heir his vertuous noblesse |
| (That is appropred unto no degree |
| But to the firste fader in magestee, |
| 20 | That maketh hem his heyres that him queme), |
| Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. |