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

A certaine man had landes
little thoughe it were
And yet wold faine haue liued
lyke a gentlemans peare
Of thys lande he made sale
and toke readye golde
And let that for double the rente
of the lande that was solde
Than came there a broker
and sayde if he woulde do,
As he woulde aduise hym
he shoulde make of one penye two
Marye that woulde I fayne do
(quod this vsurer than)
I praye the teache me

the feat if thou can
You shall (sayde thys broker)
lende but for a monethes day
And be sure of
a suffitience gage alwaye,
Wyth a playne bill of sale
if the day be not kept
And se that ye do
no causis accepte.
Than muste you be sure
that your intereste be
One penye for a shyllynge
and thre pence for three
So by the yeres ende
twelue moneths geue twelue pens
For the vse of a shyilynge
lo I haue tolde you all sens.
Than saide this vsurer
this matter goeth well
For my twentye pounde lande
that I chaunced to sell
I shall haue foure hundred
pounde rente by the yere,
To lyue syke a Lorde

And make iolye chere.
Than came there a Prophete
and tolde thys manne playne
That hauen is no place
for suche vnlawefull gayne
Why sir (quod this Usurar)

Psal. xv.

it is my liuynge.
Yea syr (quod this Prophet)
but it is not youre calling
You are called to liue
after twentye pounde by yere,
And after that rate
ye shoulde measure your chere
Tyll god did encrease you
by his mercifull wayes
By encreasynge youre corne
and youre cattell in the leyes
Whyche encrese wyth your landes
you are bounde to employe
To the profite of all them
that do dwell you bye,
Ye are not borne to your selfe
neither maye you take
That thynge for youre owne

where of God did you make
But Stuarde and Baylife
that shall yelde a rekeninge
At the daye of Iudgmente
for euerye thyng.

Luke. xvi.

And do ye not doubte
but then ye shall knowe
Whether ye maye your goodes
at youre pleasure bestowe
And whether ye maye vse
wayes wycked and yl,
To incraese your riches
at your owne will.
But chieflye to lende
youre goodes to vsurie
Is a thinge that you shall
moste dearelye abye
For Christe saieth in Luke
that the Heathen do so

Luke. vi.

Take hede lest ye flytte
frome pleasure to woe