What vaileth truth? or by it to take pain,
To strive by steadfastness for to attain
To be just and true and flee from doubleness;
Sithens all alike, where ruleth craftiness,
Rewarded is both false and plain?
Soonest he speedeth that most can feign;
True-meaning heart is had in disdain.
Against deceit and doubleness,
What vaileth truth?
Deceived is he by crafty train
That meaneth no guile and doth remain
Within the trap without redress.
But for to love, lo, such a mistress,
Whose cruelty nothing can refrain,
What vaileth truth?