One and Thyrtye Epigrammes wherein are briefly touched so many Abuses, that maye and ought to be put away. Compiled and Imprinted by Robert Crowley |
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Of Baylife Arrantes. |
 | One and Thyrtye Epigrammes |  |
Of Baylife Arrantes.
A Baylife there was.in the weste contrey,
That dyd as they do
in all quarters men saye,
He serued with one wryte
an whole score or tweyne,
And toke in hand to excuse them
hauinge pence for his payne,
And when he should warne a quest
in sessions to appeare,
He woulde surely warne them
that woulde make hym no cheare,
And then take a bribe
to make answere for them,
But when he mette his frendes
than woulde he saye but hem,
But such as had no cheare
nor money to paye
to the sessions alwaye,
Ye must geue him some thynge.
to sowe his hadlande
Or else ye can haue
no fauoure at his hande,
Some puddyng is or Baken.
or chese for to eate,
A bushell of barley
some malt or some wheate,
His hadland is good grownd
and beareth all thynge,
Be it Baken or beffe.
stockefyshe or lynge
Thus pore men are pold
and pyld to the bare,
By such as shoulde serue them
to kepe them from care,
| One and Thyrtye Epigrammes | |