[Sidenote: This power, then, clearly shows their impotence.]
¶ And þilke power 3320 sheweþ ful euydently þat þei ne mowen ry[gh]t nau[gh]t.
[Linenotes: 3285 _whiche_--the which _þat_--þ{ a}t the 3286 _ben_--be 3291 _au[gh]ten to folwen_--owhten folwe 3293 _doþ_--MS. doþe, C. doth 3394 _wrastle_--wrastlen 3295 _vilfully_--wilsfully 3297 _outerly_--owtrely 3301 _seyne_--seyen 3304-5 _denye_--denoye 3305 _sey[e] symplely_--seye sympeli 3306 [_ne_]--from C. 3307 _seyn_--seyen 3309 _graunt[e]_--graunte 3311-12 _þilk_--thilke 3312 _haþ_--MS. haþe 3313 _þat_ (1)--what _seyne_--seyn 3314 _þilk_--thilke 3315 _set_--MS. sette, C. set 3316 _denye_--denoye 3318 _don_--MS. done, C. don 3319 _my[gh]ten_ (1)--myhte _dwelle_--dwellin 3320 _goode_--good]
[Headnote: POWER, AN ATTRIBUTE OF THE CHIEF GOOD.]
[Sidenote: For as evil is nothing, it is clear that while the wicked can only do evil they can do nothing.]
¶ For so as I haue gadered { and} p{ ro}ued a lytel her byforn þat yuel is nau[gh]t. { and} so as shrewes mowen oonly but shrewednesse. þis conclusiou{ n} is al clere. þat 3324 shrewes ne mowen ry[gh]t nat to han power.
[Sidenote: That you may understand the force of this power, I have proved that nothing is more powerful than the sovereign good.]
and for as moche as þou vndirstonde whiche is þe strengþe þat is power of shrewes. I haue diffinised a lytel here byforn þat no þing nis so my[gh]ty as souereyne good
[Sidenote: _P._ And that supreme good can do no evil?]
[{ and} thilke same souereyn good may don non yuel //
[Sidenote: _P._ Is there any one who thinks that man can do all things?]
¶ Is þer any wy[gh]t þan q{ uo}d she þat weniþ þat men mowen don alle þinges.
[Sidenote: _B._ No sane man can think so.]
No man q{ uo}d .I. but yif he be out of hys witte.
¶ but 3332 certys sherewes mowen doñ yuel q{ uo}d she.
[Sidenote: _B._ I would to God they could not.]
¶ [gh]e wolde god q{ uo}d I þat þei ne my[gh]te{ n} don none.
[Sidenote: _P._ Since he that can do good, can do all things, and he that has power to do evil cannot do all things, therefore the evil-doers are less powerful.]
þat q{ uo}d she so as he þat is my[gh]ty to done oonly but good[e] þinges may don alle þinges. and þei þat ben my[gh]ty to done 3336 yuel[e] þinges ne mowen nat alle þinges. þan is þis open þing { and} manifest þat þei þ{ a}t mowe{ n} don yuel ben of lasse power.