recreant

Soothly, he that despeireth hym is lyk

The coward champious recreant, that seith,

Creant withoute nede, allas! akkas! bedekes us

He recreant and nedelees despeired.

[Translation by Larry D. Benson from Riverside Chaucer: Truly, he that despairs himself is like the cowardly defeated champion, who says "I surrender" without need. Alas, alas, needless is he defeated and needless in despair.]

Who, for ſo many benefits receiv'd, / Turn'd recreant to God, ingrate and falſe, / And ſo of all true good himſelf deſpoil'd, […]