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 |
 |
Of almes houses |
 | One and Thyrtye Epigrammes |  |
Of almes houses
A Marchaunte that longe tymehadde bene in straunge landis
Returned to his contrey
whiche in Europe standes,
And in his returne
hys waye laye to passe,
By a Spittlehouse not farre from
where his dwelling was,
He loked for this hospitall
but none coulde he se,
For a Lordely house was builte
where the hospitall shoulde be,
is my contrey so wealthy?
That the verye beggers houses
be builte so gorgiouslye?
Than by the waye syde
hym chaunced to se
A pore manne that craued
of hym for charitie,
Whye (quod thys Marchaunt)
what meaneth thys thynge?
Do ye begge by the waye
and haue a house for a kyng?
Alas syr (quod the pore man)
we are all turned oute
And lye and dye in corners
here and there aboute,
Men of greate riches
haue bought our dwellinge place,
And whan we craue of them
they turne awaye their face,
Lorde god (quod this marchaūt)
in Turkye haue I bene,
yet emonge those Heathen,
none such crueltie haue I sene
muste fall no remedye,
Upon these wicked men
and that verye shortelye,
| One and Thyrtye Epigrammes | |