And They Lie Not, Ne They Swear Not For None Occasion,
But They Say Simply, Yea And Nay; For They Say, He That Sweareth
Will Deceive His Neighbour, And Therefore, All That They Do, They
Do It Without Oath.
And men clepe that isle the Isle of Bragman, and some men clepe it
the Land of Faith.
And through that land runneth a great river
that is clept Thebe. And, in general, all the men of those isles
and of all the marches thereabout be more true than in any other
countries thereabout, and more rightfull than others in all things.
In that isle, is no thief, ne murderer, ne common woman, ne poor
beggar, ne never was man slain in that country. And they be so
chaste, and lead so good life, as that they were religious men, and
they fast all days. And because they be so true and so rightfull,
and so full of all good conditions, they were never grieved with
tempests, ne with thunder, ne with light, ne with hail, ne with
pestilence, ne with war, ne with hunger, ne with none other
tribulation, as we be, many times, amongst us, for our sins.
Wherefore, it seemeth well, that God loveth them and is pleased
with their creaunce for their good deeds. They believe well in
God, that made all things, and him they worship. And they prize
none earthly riches; and so they be all rightfull. And they live
full ordinately, and so soberly in meat and drink, that they live
right long.
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