I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding 'me' with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.
I thouyte in myn herte to withdrawe my fleisch fro wyn, þat Y schulde lede ouer my soule to wisdom, and þat Y schulde eschewe foli, til Y schulde se, what were profitable to þe sones of men; in which dede þe noumbre of daies of her lijf vndur þe sunne is nedeful.