Lines 4482-5026 Summary

Reason continues her discussion on morality, and this time, she explores the contrast between Youth and Age, dwelling on the folly and recklessness of youth followed by later repentance in old age.

Lines 4482-5026 Analysis

Reason (as the author's mouthpiece for this essay) here cites Tullius, who is better known as the Roman author, statesman and philosopher Cicero, whose works were held in great authority during the Middle Ages. The "boke he made of Age" mentioned is most likely to be Cato Maior de Senectute. However, the ideas presented in this passage compare well with the concepts outlined in the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes (particularly Ecclesiastes 12:1-7) and other passages in the Biblical Book of Proverbs.

The main idea put forward by Reason is that youth is a time of recklessness and wildness and also great freedom. It is a time...