How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). We used the line numbering found on Librarius's online edition.
Quote #4
Who so that halt hym payd of his poverte,
I holde hym riche, al hadde he nat a sherte.
He that coveiteth is a povre wight,
For he wole han that is nat in his myght;
But he that noght hath, ne coveiteth have,
Is riche, although ye holde hym but a knave.
(1191 – 1196)
This passage is a continuation on the 'happy poverty' theme, the idea being that a person who's content in his poverty is better off than a wealthy person who covets things he cannot have. The implication here is that contentment or happiness is the ultimate 'possession,' adding so immeasurably to a person's wealth that it can make a poor person 'rich.'
Quote #5
Verray poverte, it syngeth properly.
(1197)
The lady says that poverty 'sings' because of all the good things she claims come with it. Notice that all of these good things are very abstract, however: contentment, freedom from fear, knowledge of friends and enemies. No mention does the lady make of very basic things, like nutrition and health care, that people in poverty lack.
Quote #6
Poverte is hateful good, and, as I gesse,
A ful greet bryngere out of bisynesse;
A greet amender eek of sapience
To hym that taketh it in pacience.
(1201 – 1204)
Here the lady's point seems to be that those in poverty cannot remain idle, because they must work to put food on the table. It's less clear why poverty amends wisdom, unless it's simply by teaching patience.