One and Thyrtye Epigrammes :: :: University of Virginia Library

Nedes must we haue places
for vitayls to be solde,
for such as be sycke
pore, feble and olde.
But Lorde to howe greate
abuse they be growne,
In eche lyttle Hamlet,
vyllage and towne.
They are become places
of waste and excesse,
An herbour for such men
as lyue in Idlenes.

And lyghtly in the contrey
they be placed so,
That they stande in mens waye
when they shoulde to church go.
And then such as loue not
to hear theyr fautes tolde,
By the minister that readeth
the newe Testament and olde:
do turne into the alehouse
and let the church go,
Yea, and men accompted wyse
and honeste do so.
But London (God be praysed)

A cōmendation of London.

all men maye commende
Whych doeth nowe this greate
enormitie emende.
For in seruice tyme
no dore standeth vp,
Where such men are wonte
to fyll can and cuppe.
Wolde God in the countrey
they woulde do the same,
Either for Gods feare
or for worldely shame.

How hallow they the Saboth
that do the tyme spende,
In drynkinge and idlenes
tyll the daye be at an ende?
Not so well as he doeth
that goeth to the plowe,
Or pitcheth vp the sheues
from the carte to the mowe,

Mat. xiii

But he doeth make holye
the Sabothe in dede,
That heareth Goddes worde
and helpeth suche as nede,