University of Virginia Library

The Boke to the Reader.

He that is of God, heareth the worde of God.

Of Abbayes.

As I walked alone
and mused on thynges,
That haue in my time
bene done by great kings,
I bethought me of Abbayes
that sometyme I sawe,
Whiche are nowe suppressed
all by a lawe,
O Lorde (thought I then)
what occasion was here,
To prouide for learninge
and make pouertye chere?
The landes and the Iewels
that hereby were hadde,
Would haue foūd godly prechers
which might well haue ladde:
The people aright
that now go astraye,
And haue fedde the pore
that famishe euerye daye,
But as I thus thought
it came to my mynde,
That the people wyll not see
but delyte to be blynde.
Wherefore they are not worthy
good preachars to haue,
Nor yet to be prouided for
but styll in vayne to craue.
Than sayde I (O Lorde God)

Math. 24

make this tyme shorte,
For theyr sake onlye Lorde
that be thy chosen sorte.

Of Alehouses.

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,

Of Allayes.

Two sortes of Allayes
in London I finde,
The one agaynste the lawe
and the other againste kinde,
The firste is where bowlinge
forbidden, menne vse,
And wastynge theyr goodes
do their laboure refuse.

A dispraise of London.

But in London (alas)
some men are deuillishelye.
Suffered to professe it
as an acte to lyue by.
Well I wyll saye no more
but suche as lyue so,
And officers that suffer them
shall togither go,
To Satan their sire
for of god they are not,
Who commaundeth to laboure
syxe dayes ye wotte.
And the seuenth he commaundeth.

Exo. xxiii.

all menne to sanctifie,
In beynge well occupied
and not idlelye,
The other sorte of Allayes

Allayes agaynste kynde.

that be agaynste kynde,
Do make my harte wepe
whan they come to my mind
For there are pore people
welmoste innumerable,
That are dryuen to begge
and yet to worcke they are able,
If they might haue althinges
prouided aright,
Alas, is not thys
a greate ouer syght?
Ye Aldermen and other
that take Allaye rente
Why bestowe ye not the riches
that god hath you sente.
In woule or in flaxe
to finde them occupied
That nowe lye and begge
by euerye highe waye side,
And you that be chiefe
and haue the commune treasure,
Why can you neuer finde
a time of leasure,
To se where the treasure
will finde them workinge
To the profit of the Citye
in some maner thinge
But (alas) this my tale
is to deafe men tolde
For the charitie of rich men
is nowe thorowe colde,
And this is a Citye
in name, but in dede,
It is a packe of people
that seke after meede,

Loke the definition of a Line, you that be lerned

For Officers and al
do seke their owne gaine,
But for the wealth of ye commons
not one taketh paine
An hell with out order
I maye it well call.
Where euerye man is for him selfe
and no manne for all,

Of almes houses

A Marchaunte that longe tyme
hadde 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,
Good Lorde (sayd this marchaūt)
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
The vengeaunce of god
muste fall no remedye,
Upon these wicked men
and that verye shortelye,

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
Were sure to trudge
to the sessions alwaye,

The baylefes had lande

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,

Of Bawdes.

The bawdes of the stues
be turned all out
But some think they inhabit
al England through out
In tauerns and tiplyng houses
many myght be founde
If officers would make serch
but as they are bounde
Well let them take heede
I wyll say no more
But when god reuengeth
he punisheth sore
An horrible thynge
it is for to fall,
Into that Lordis handis

Hebr. 8.

that is eternall

Of Beggers.

The beggars whome nede
compelleth to craue
Ought at our handis
some reliefe to haue,
But such as do counterfayt
haueynge theyr strength
To labour if they luste,
beyng knowne at the length
Ought to be constrayned
to worcke what they can,
And lyue on theyr laboures
as besemeth a christyan,
And if they refuse
to worcke for theyr meate,

Tim. 3.

Then ought they to faste
as not worthy to eate
And such as be sore
and wyll not be healed,
Oughte not in any case
to be charished,

Of twoe beggars.

I heard of two beggars
that vnder an hedge sate
Who dyd wyth longe talke
theyr matters debate,
They had boeth sore legges
most lothsome to se,
Al rawe from the fote
welmost to the knee
My legge quod the one
I thank god is fayre
So is myne (quod the other)
in a colde ayre,
For then it loketh rawe
and as redde as any bloud
I woulde not haue it healed
for any worldis good,
For were it once whole
my lyuinge were gone,
And for a sturdye begger
I shoulde be take anone.
No manne woulde pittye me
but for my sore legge,
Wherfore if it were whole
I might in vaine begge.
I shoulde be constrained
to laboure and sweate,
And perhaps sometime
wyth schourges be beate,
Well (sayde the tother)
lette vs take hede therefore,
That we let them not heale
but kepe them styll sore.
An other thynge I hearde
of a begger that was lame,
Muche like one of these
if it were not the same,
Who syttinge by the fire
wyth the cuppe in his hande,
Began to wonder whan
he shoulde be a good husbande.
I shall neuer thriue
(quod this begar) I wene
For I gate but .xvi.d. to daye
and haue spente eyghtene
Well let the worlde wagge
we muste neades haue drynke
Go fyll me thys quarte pot.
full to the brynke,
The tonge muste haue bastynge
it wyll the better wagge,
To pull a goddes penye
out of a churles bagge.
Yet cesse not to gyue to all
wythoute anye regarde,
Thoughe the beggers be wicked
thou shalte haue thy rewarde,

Of Bear baytynge.

What follye is thys?
to kepe wyth daunger,
A greate mastyfe dogge
and a foule ouglye Beare
And to thys onelye ende
to se them two fyght,
Wyth terrible tearynge
a full ouglye syght,
And yet me thynke those men
be mooste foles of all,
Whose store of money
is but verye smale,
And yet euerye sondaye
they wyll surelye spende,
One penye or two
the bearwardes lyuyng to mende,
At Paryse garden eche sundaye
a man shall not fayle,

Parise garden

To fynde two or thre hundredes
for the bearwardes vaile,
One halpenye a piece
they vse for to giue
When some haue no more
in their purse I beleue
Well, at the laste daye
theyr conscience wyll declare
That the pore ought to haue
all that they maye spare,
For god hath commaunded

Eccles. 4.

that what we maye spare,
Be geuen to the pore
that be full of care,
If you giue it therefore
to se a Beare fyght,
Be ye sure goddes curse
wyl vpon you lyght,

Of Brawlers

A brawler that loueth
to breake the kinges peace,
And seke his owne sorowe
his fansye to please,
Is lyke a curre Dogge
that setteth vpon
Eche mastyfe and hounde
that he may light on,
He getteth hym hatered
of euerye manne,
And meteth with his maister
euer nowe and than,
To hurte other menne
he taketh greate payne,
He turneth no manne
to profite or gayne,
Except it be the Surgian
or the Armorer,
The Baylife, the Constable
or the Iayler,
This is a worthye membre
in a commune wealthe,
That to worcke other wo
will lose his owne health,
What other men will iudge
I can not tell:
But if he scape Tiburne
I thinke he wyll hange in hell.

Of Blasphemous swerers

The sonne of Syrach

Eccls. iii.

wryteth playnelye,
Of suche menne as do
sweare blasphemouselye,
The manne that sweareth muche
shall be fylled, sayeth he,
Wyth all wicked maners
and iniquitie,
In the house of that manne
the plage shall not cease,
He shalbe styll plaged
either more or les.
Christe byddeth all his
affirme and denie,
Wyth yea, yea, nay, nay,
affirmyng no lye.
Whatsoeuer ye ad more (saith he)
cometh of iuell,
And is of the wycked
suggestion of the Deuyll,
But we can not talke
wythouten othes plentye,
Some sweare by Gods nayles
hys herte and his bodye,
And some sweare his fleshe
his bloude and hys fote,
And some by hys guttes,
hys lyfe and herte rote.
Some other woulde seme
all sweryng to refrayne,
And they inuent idle othes,
such is theyr idle brayne.
By Cocke and by Pye,
and by the goose wyng,
By the crosse of the mouse fote
and by saynte Chyckyn.
And some sweare by the Diuell

Math. v.

such is theyr blyndenes,
Not knowyng that they call
these thynges to wytnes.
Of their Consciences in that
they affirme or denye,
So boeth sortes commit
moste abhominable blasphemie.

Of the colier of Croydon.

It is sayde that in Croydon
there dyd sometyme dwell,
A Colier that dyd
all other Coliers excell
for his riches thys Colier
myght haue bene a knight
But in the order of knighthode
he hadde no delyght
Woulde god all our knightes
dyd minde colinge no more,
Than this Colier dyd knyghtyng.
as is sayde before.
For when none but pore Colyars
dyd wyth coles mell,
At a reasonable price
they dyd theyr Coles sell.
But sence oure Knyght Colyars
haue had the fyrite sale,
We haue payed much money
and had fewe sackes to tale,
A lode that of late yeres
for a royall was solde,
wyll coste nowe .xvi.s.
of syluer or golde.
God graunt these men grace
theyr pollyng to refrayne,
Or els bryng them backe
to theyr olde state agayne.
And especially the Colyar
that at Croydon doth sell,
For men thyncke he is cosen
to the Colyar of Hell.

Of Commotionars.

When the bodye is vexed
through humors corrupted
To restore it to helth
those humours muste be purged
For if they remayne
they wyll styll encrease:
Euery daye more and more
and augment the disease.
So that in short tyme
the body muste decaye,
Excepte God geue health
by some other waye.
Euen so doth it fare
by the weale publyke,
Whych chaunceth to be often
Diseased and sycke,
Through the mischeuouse malice
of such men as be,
Desyrouse to breake
the publyke Unitie.
Eche publyke bodye
muste be purged therfore,
Of these rotten humours
as is sayed before.
Els wyll it decay,
as do the bodyes naturall,
When rotten humours haue
infected them ouer all.
But if the publyke bodye
can not be purged well,
By force of purgation
as Phisickes rules do tell:
When bodyes be weake
and so lowe brought,
That by purgation
no health can be wroght:
Then must there be sought
some easyar waye,
To kyl ye strēgth of those humors.
thus doth Phisicke saye.
When the Swerde wyl not helpe
in the common wealth,
To purge it of Commotionars
and bryng it to health:
Then must discrete counsell
fynde wayes to kyll,
The powr of those rebelles
and let them of theyr wyll.
And that must be by cherishyng
the humours naturall,
And by quickenyng agayne
of the spirites vitall,
Whych in the commune wealth
are the subiectes trew.
That do alwaye study
sedition to eschew
When these mē, through cherishing
do growe and be strong:
Then can no Commotionars
continew long.
For as when the strength
of ill humours is kylled,
In a naturall bodye,
they be sone consumed,
Or made of iuell good,
as it is playne to se:
So wyll it bytyde
of such men as be,
In the Commune wealth
geuen vnto Sedition,
When they se they can not
finyshe theyr Intention.
And what is their power
but the people ignoraunte
Whom thei do abuse
by their counselles malignaunt?
When the hertes of the people
be wonne to their prince,
Than can no commotioners
do hurte in hys prouince,
If this wyll not help
than God wyll take cure,
And destroy these Commosioners
we may be right sure,
Excepte the tyme be come
that the bodye muste dye,
For than there canne be found
no maner remedy,
God graunte that our synne
haue not broughte vs so lowe
That we be paste cure
god onelye doeth thys knowe,
And I truste to se healthe agayne
if the final ende,
Be not nowe nere at hande
whyche the Lorde shortelye sende

Of commen drunkardes

Esaye lamenteth
and sayeth oute alas

Esaye. v.

Muche wo shall betide you
that do youre tyme passe,
In eatinge and drinckynge
from morninge to nighte,
Til none of your membres
canne do his office righte.
Woe be to you, sayeth he,
that do so earlye rise,
To fyll your selues wyth drincke.
in suche beastelye wise
But if he were nowe liuyng
and sawe this worldes state
He wold saye this of our drūkards
that sytte vp so late,
For fewe of oure drunckardes
do vse to rise earelye,
But muche of the nighte
they wyll drincke lustelye,
Well, sainte Paule doeth warne

i. Cor. i.

all that be of pure mynde
To auoide drunckardes company
where so euer they do them finde.
Se ye neyther eate nor drincke
wyth suche menne sayeth he
That be geuen to drinkinge
what so euer they be
But alas manye curates
that shoulde vs thys tell
Do all their parishioners
in drynckyng excell,

Of commune Liars

Solomon the sage

Sapi. i.

in Sapience doeth saye
That the mouthe that lyeth
doeth the verye soule sleye
If the murderer of bodies
be worthye to dye
The murderer of soules
shoulde not escape, trowe I.
For as the Soule doeth
the bodye excell
So is his treaspace greater
that doeth the soule quell
But Lyars (alas)
are nowe muche set by,
And thought to be menne
in a maner necessarie
To be entertayned
of eche noble manne,
Who are muche delighted
wyth lyes nowe and than
But this delite will be sorowe
I feare me at the laste
Whan the liar for hys liynge
into paynes shall be caste

Of Dicears.

Emonge wyttye saiynges
this precept I finde
To auoid and fle dice (mi son)

Cato.

haue euer in mynde
For diceynge hath brought many
wealthye menne to care
And manye ryche heyre
it hath made full bare
Some menne it hath sette vp
I wyll not denye
And brought to more worship
than they be worthye
God knoweth to what ende
he suffereth thys thing
Perchaunce to rewarde them
wyth hel at their endynge.
For doubtlesse those goodes
are gotten amisse
That are gotten from him
that prodigall is,
And especially at the dyce
where boeth do intende
To get others goods,
or else hys owne to spende
Nowe if prodigalitye
or couetise be vyce
He can not but offend
that playeth at the dyce
For be they two or mo
thys thyng is certayne
Prodigalytie and couetise
do in them all raygne
Besyde the wycked othes
and the tyme myspent
Wherof they thincke they nede not
them selues to repent,
But thys I dare saye,
that though dyceyng were no sin,
Nor the good is mysgoten
that men do ther at wynne
Yet the othes that they swere
and the tyme myspent
Shall be theyr damnacion
vnlesse they repent
Leaue of your vayne dyceyng
ye dycers therefore
For vnlesse ye repent,
god hath vengeaunce in store
And when ye thynke least
then wyl he pour it oute
And make you to stoupe,
be ye neuer so stoute.

Of double benificed men.

The kynge of that realme,
where iustice doeth reygne
Perused olde statutis
that in bokis remayne.
And as he turned the boke
him chaunced to se
That such as haue benifices
shoulde resident be.
And haue theyr abydyng
whyles theyr lyfe shoulde endure
Emong them ouer whome
God hath geuen them cure.
Then sayed he to him selfe,
A thyncke well there is:
No Lawe in thys realme
worse obserued then this.
Yet can there nothynge,
my stocke more decaye,
Then when hyrelynges suffer
my shepe go astraye.
Then called he his councell
and tolde them his mynde,
And wylled that they shoulde
some remedy fynde.
Whoe wyth good aduice
agreed on this thyng,
That Uisitours should be sent
wyth the powre of the Kyng,
To punyshe all such
as herein dyd offende,
Unlesse they were founde
thorowe wyllynge to amende
These visitours found many stout
priestes but chieflye one,
That hadde sondrye benifices

O see .iiii.

but woulde surrender none
Than was this stoute felowe
brought to the kynge
Who sayde vnto hym
syr howe chaunceth this thing?
Wyl ye transegresse my lawes
and than disobeye?
Menne hauing my power?
syr what can you saye?
If it mai like your grace (quod he)
loe heare is to se
Your seale at a graunte
of a pluralitie
Well saide the kinge than
I repente me of all yll:
But tell me maister doctoure
wil you haue your benifices styll?
If your grace do me ryghte (quoth he)
I must haue them my life tyme
So shalt thou (quod the kynge)
for to morow by pryme
God wyllynge, thy body,
shalbe diuided and sent
To ech benifice a piece
to make the resident.
Away wyth hym (quod the kyng)
and let al thyngis be done
As I haue geuen sentence
to morow ere none
For syth thou arte a stout priest
an example thou shalt be
That all stouburne priestes
may take warnyng by the.

Of the Exchecker.

In the weste parte of Europe
there was sometyme a kynge,
That had a court for receyte:
of money to him belongeing.
But the ministers of that Court
Dyd longe and many a daye
Take brybes to bare wt suche mē
As should forfaytis pay.
At the laste to the kyng,
this theyr falshode was tolde,
By suche as about hym,
were faythfull and bolde.
Then dyd the Kyng sende
for these ministers ill,
And layde all theyr faltes
before them in a byll.
Then were they abashed
and had nought to saye,
But cryed for hys perdon,
but he bade awaye.
Ye haue borne wyth theues
and haue robbed me,
And suffered my people
impoueryshed to be.
No statute coulde cause
thoffendars to emende,
Because you bare wyth them,
When they dyd offende.
Awaye wyth them all,
laye them in prisone.
Tyll we haue determined,
What shall wyth them be done.
What iudgment they had
I haue not hearde yet
But well I wot they deserued
a tiburne typpet

Of Flaterars

A flatterynge frende
is worse then a foe
For a frende is betrusted
when the other is not so.

ii. Re. iii.

Of an open enimie
a man may be ware
when the flatteryng frend
wyl worcke men much care
For if Abner had knowne,
what was in Ioabs harte
I do not doubt but he would
haue out of his waye sterte
Or at the leaste he would not
haue admitted hym so ny
As to be embraced of hym
and on his dagger to dye
Wherefore I aduertise
al men to be ware
Of all flatterynge frendis
that bring men to care
As for open ennimies
trust them if ye wyll
I can not forbyd you
to admyt your owne yll.
Woulde god allmen woulde
such flatterars trye:
As hange at theyr elbowes
to get some what therby.
But (alas) noweadayes
men of honour do promote
Many a false flatterynge
and lewde harlot
Whych thynge may at the lengthe
be theyr owne decaye
For if the wynde turne
the flatterars wyll awaye
The swallowe in sommer
wyll in your house dwell,
But when wynter is commynge
she wyll saye farewell.
And when the short dayes
begyn to be colde ]
Robīredbrest wil come home to ye
and be very bolde.
But when Summer returneth
and bushes wax grene:
then Robyn your man
wyll no more be sene.
So some of your flatteras
wyll in prosperitie,
be of your householde
and of your family.
And some other wyl
when nede doth them payne,
Sue to do you seruice
tyll they be welthy agayne.

Of Foles.

The preachar sayeth thus,

Eccle. iiii

a pore wytty ladde,
is better then an olde Kynge
whose wytie is but badde.
The wyse man in pouertie
is ryght honourable,
Whan the fole in his ryches
is worthy a Bable.
Some foles there be of nature
that vnderstande nought,
Some other vnderstand thynges,
but haue euer in theyr thought,
That they them selues be wysest,
whych folly passeth all,
And doeth soneste appeare,
as well in greate as small.
These foles wyll not heare
any mans reade or counsell,
And whatsoeuer they thē selfe do,
is excedyng well.
But other mens doynges
they wyll euer dyprease,
For other can do nought
that may theyr mynde please.
And further, they thyncke
it becometh them well,
in euery mans matter,
them selfe to entermel.
And when they come in place
where is any talke,
No mā shal fynde a tyme to speake
so faste theyr tonges that walke.
Of theyr owne dedis and goodes,
they wyll bragge and boaste.
And declare all theyr mishaps,
and what they haue loste.
If ye tell them of theyr fautes,
then wyll they nedes fyght,
Ye must saye as they saye,
be it wrounge or ryght.
Infine, ye must prayse them
and sette forth theyr fame,
And what soeuer they do,
you may them not blame.
If ye tell them of knowledge,
they saye they lacke none,
And wyshe they had lesse,
and then they make mone,
For the losse of vayne toyes,
wherin they delyte.
And then if ye reasone farre,
beware, they wyll fyght.
All wise men take hede,
and shunne theyr companye,
For of all other men,
they are most vngodly.

Of Forestallars.

The fryses of Walis
to Brystowe are brought,
But before thei were wouen
in Walis they are bought.
So that nowe we do paye
foure grotes or els more,
For the fryfe we haue bought.
for eyght pens heretofore.
And some saye the woule
is bought ere it do growe.
And the corne long before
it come in the mowe.
And one thyng there is
that hurteth moste of all,
Reuersiōs of fermes are bought,
long ere they fall.
And ryght so are benifices
in euery coaste,
So that persons and vicars
kepe neyther sodde nor roste.
The pore of the paryshe
whome the person shoulde fede:
Can haue nought of oure tythis,
to sucuoure theyr nede.
Reuersions of fermes
are bought on ech syde,
And the olde tenant must pay well
if he wyll abyde.
And where the father payde a peny
and a Capon or twayne,
The sonne muste paye ten pownde
This passeth my brayne.
Well, let thes forestallars
repent them by tyme,
Leste the clarke of the market
be wyth them ere pryme.
For he when he cometh
wyll punysh them all,
That do any nedeful thynge
ingrose or forestall.
For well I wotte thys,
when he went laste awaye:
He sent vs his seruaunt,
and thus dyd he saye.

i. Cor. x.

Se that emong you
none seke his owne gayne,
But profyte ech other
wyth trauayle and payne.

Of Godlesse men

Holye Dauid that was
boeth propheth and kinge
Sawe in hys tyme
(as appeareth by hys wrytynge)

Psalm. viii

That in those dayes
there were men of wycked hert
That dyd all godlye wayes
utterlye peruerte,
And so there are nowe
the pitye is the more,
That lyue more carnalye
than euer men men dyd before,
These men (sayeth kinge Dauid)
in their hertes do saye
Surelye there is no God
let vs take our owne waye,
Thus iudged kyng Dauid
and that for good skyll
Bicause he sawe their worckes
were wycked and euyll,
They are (sayeth he) corrupt
and nought in all theyr wayes
Not one doeth good
and therfore he sayes
That they thincke there is no God
theyr worckis do declare
For to do the thynge that good is
they haue no maner care
But what would Dauid saye
if he were in these dayes
When men wyl do Ill
and iustifie theyr yl weyes?
They leaue the good vndone
and do that yll is
And then they call that yll good
what woulde Dauid saye to this?
I know not what Dauid
would saye in this case,
But I knowe that good Esay
doeth cursse them apase
Woe sayth this prophete

Esai. v.

to them that do call
That thyng good that euell is
but this is not all
He sayeth woe to them
that call dearckenes lyght
Preferryng theyr Fansey
before the worde of myght
If they fynde a thynge wrytten
in Paul Luke or Iohn
Or any other scripture
they wyll therof none
Except they may easily
perceyue and se
That wyth theyr fleshly fansey
they may make it agre
All other textis of scripture
they wyll not stycke to deny
Yea some of them wyll
god and his scripture defie
And say they wyl make merie here
for when they begone
They can haue no ioye
for soule they haue none
If these menne be not godles
muche meruell haue I
Well the cause is the Lordes
lette hym and them trye
I knowe at the laste
they shall fynde him to strong.
The daye of his vengeaunce
wyll not tarye longe,

Of Idle persons

Idlenes hath ben cause

Eccles. 33.

of much wyckednes,
As Ecclesasticus
doeth playnely wytnes
Idle persons therfore
can not be all cleare,
As by the storie of Sodome
it doeth well appeare
But that we may come nere
to our owne age
The Idlenes of abbays
made them outrage
Yet let vs come neare
euen to the tyme present
And se what myschyfe
Idle persons do inuent
What cōspiracies haue bē wroght
wythin this lyttle whyle,
By Idle men that dyd
the commons begyle,
And what haue Idle men
alwaye practised
To breake the peace of prynces
that they myght be hyered
I wyll not saye what
the Idlenes of priestes hath done,
Nor yet the Idlenes
of seruauntis in London,
Let euerie man search
his owne houshold well
And whether the thynge
be true that I tell,
Yea what abuse dyd euer.
emonge the people rayne
But the same dyd fyrst sprynge
out of an Idle brayn.
Idlenes therfore
maye ryghte well be named
The gate of all mischiefe
that euer was framed
Ye masters and fathers therfore
that feare God omnipotent
Kepe youre families
leaste ye be shente
For if thorowe their idlenes
they fall into outrage
Your iudgemente shall be strayght
for they are cōmitted to your charg
Kepe them therfore styll occupied,
in doynge youre busines
Or els in readynge or hearynge
some bokes of Godlines
And woulde god the maiestrates
woulde se men set a worke
And that within thys realme
none were suffered to lurke
This realme hath thre cōmodities
woule tynne and leade
Which brīg wrought wtin ye realme
eche man might get his bread

Of inuenters of straunge newes

Some men do delite
straunge newes to inuente
Of this mannes doynge
and that mannes intente
What is done in Fraunce
and in the Emperours lande,
And what thyng the Scottes
do nowe take in hande.
What the Kynge and his counsell,
do intende to do.
Though for the most parte
it be nothynge so.
Such men cause the people
that els woulde be styll,
To murmour and grudge,
whych thyng is very ill,
Yea, sometyme they cause

We sawe the expepience of thys of late.

the people to ryse,
And assemble them selfe,
in most wycked wyse.
In Plato hys common wealth,
such men shoulde not dwell,
For Poetes and Oratoures
he dyd expell.
Oh that these newes bryngars
had for theyr rewarde,
Newe halters of hemppe
to sette them forwarde.

Of Laye men that take Tithes and Priests that vse theyr rites priuatly.

VVhan Iustice began
in Iudgment to syt,
To punysh all such men
as dyd fautes commit:
Then was there a man
before hyr accused,
For tythes that he toke
and priuately vsed.
When dewe proufe was had
and the thyng manifeste
The wyttnesses sworne
and the treaspace confeste:
Then gaue the Iudge Iudgemēt
and these wordes he spake,
So that from this Caytyfe
ye do all his goodes take.
For seinge he made that priuate
that commune shoulde be:
he shall haue this Iustice
by the Iudgment of me.
Whose pore men that by the tithes
shoulde be releued,
Shal haue all his goodes
emonge them diuided.
And because he shewed no mercie,

Iacob. ii.

no mercie shall he haue:
The sentence is geuen.
go hange vp the slaue.

Of leasemongars.

Of late a Leasemongar
of London laye sycke,
And thynckyng to dye,
his conscience dyd him prycke.
Wherefore he sayde thus
wyth hym selfe secretly,
I wyll sende for a preachar
to knowe what remedy.
But whilse he thus laye
he fell in a sloumber,
and sawe in his dreame
pore folke a greate number.
Whoe sayde they had learned thys
at the preachars hande,
To paye all wyth patience
that theyr Landlordes demaunde
For they for theyr sufferaunce
in such oppression,
Are promised rewarde
in the resurrection.
Where such men as take Leases
them selues to aduaunce,
Are sure to haue Hell
by ryght inheritaunce.

Of Marchauntes.

If Marchauntes wold medle
wyth marchaundice onely,
And leaue fermes to such men
as muste lyue thereby:
Then were they moste worthy
to be had in price,
As men that prouide vs
of all kyndes Marchaundice.
But syth they take fermes
to let them out agayne,
To such men as muste haue them
though it be to theyr payn:,
And to leauye greate fines
or to ouer the rent,
And do purchayse greate landes
for the same intent:
We muste nedes cal them
membres vnprofitable,
As men that woulde make
all the Realme miserable.
Howe they leaue theyr trade
and lende oute theyr money,
To yonge Marchaunte men
for greate Usurie,
Whrereby some yonge men
are dreuen to leaue all:
And do into moste extreme
pouertie fall:
It greueth me to wryte,
but what remedy?
They muste heare theyr faute
syth they be so greedye.
And thus I saye to them
and trewe they shall it fynde,
The Lorde wyll haue all
theyr iuell doynges in mynde.
And at the laste daye
when they shall aryse:
All shall be layed playne
before theyr owne eyes
Where iudgemente shall be geuen
as saynte Iames doeth wytnes

Iacob. ii.

Wythoute all mercye
to suche as be merciles

Of men that haue diuers offices

Whan the Citye of Rome
was ruled aryght,
As aunciente Autours
do recorde and wryte
Ambition was punished
wyth vtter exile
Yet were there some that dyd
venter some whyle
But we reade not of anye
that euer wente aboute,
To haue two offices at once
were they neuer so stoute.
But alas in this Realme
we counte hym not wyse
That seketh not by all meanes
that he canne deuise
To rake offices togither
wythoute anye staye
But Christe shal saie to these menne
at the laste daye

Luke. xvi

Geue accoūts of your Baliwickes
ye mene wythoute grace
Ye that sought to be rulers
in euerye place
Geue accountes of your Baliwike
for come is the daye
That ye muste leaue youre offices
and walke your fathers waye.

Of Nice wyues.

The sonne of Sirache
of women doeth saye.

Eccles. 26.

That theire nicenes & hordō
is perceiued alwaye.
By there wanton lokes
and lyftynge vp of eyes
And their lokinge ascoye
in most wanton wise
And in the same
Iesus Syrach I finde

Eccles. xi.

That the gate and the garment
do declare the mynde.
If these thynges be trew,
(as no doubt they be)
What shold we thynk of ye womē
that in London we se?
For more wanton lokes
I dare boldely saye,
Were neuer in Iewyshe whores,
then in London wyues thys daye.
And if gate and garmentes
do shewe any thynge:
Our wiues do passe their whoris,
in whorelyke deckynge.
I thynk the abominable
whores of the Stews,
Dyd neuer more whorelyke
attyrementes vse.
The cappe on hyr heade,
is lyke a Sowes mawe,
Such an other facion
I thynk neuer Iewe sawe
Then fyne geare on the foreheade,
sette after the new trycke,
Though it coste a crowne or two.
what then? they may not stycke.
If theyr heyre wyl not take colour
then must they by newe
And laye it oute in tussockis
this thynge is to true.
At ech syde a tussocke
as bygge as a ball
A very fayre syght
for a fornicator bestiall
Hyr face faire paynted
to make it shyne bryght
And hyr bosome all bare
and most whorelyke dight
Hyr mydle braced in
as smal as a wande:
And some by wastes of wyre
at the paste wyfes hande
A bumbe lyke a barrell
wyth who opes at the skyrte
Hyr shoes of such stuffe
that may touche no dyrte
Upon hyr whyte fyngers
manye rynges of golde
Wyth suche maner stones
as are most dearlye solde
Of all their other trifles
I wyll saye nothynge
Leaste I haue but small thanckes
for thys my writynge,
All modeste Matrons
I truste wyll take my parte
As for nice whippets wordes
shall not come nye my hert.
I haue tolde them but trueth
let them saye what they wyll
I haue sayde they be whorelike
and so I saye still,

Of Obstinate Papistes

An obstinate Papiste
that was sometyme a Frier
Hadde of his Friers cote
so greate a desire
That he stale out of England
and wente to Louayne
And gate his Fryers cote
on his foles backe agayne
A wilfull Beggar
this papist wyl be,
A fole and a fryer
and thus is one man thre.
Would god all the papistis
that he lefte behynde
Where wyth him in fryes cotis,
accordyng to theyr kynde
Or els I woulde they were
wyth theyr father the pope,
For whylse they be in England
thei do but lyue in hope.
And excep they myght get
the Bible boke burned,
Into dispeyre theyr hope
wyl shortly be turned.
God graunte them the grace
this hope to forsake
And their naturall prynce
for theyr heade to take
Forsakinge the Pope
wyth al hys peltrye,
Whiche of longe tyme
they haue sette so much by.

Of rente raysers.

A manne that had landes
of tenne pounde by yere
Surueyed the same
and lette it out deare
So that of tenne pounde
he made well a score
Moe poundes by the yere
than other dyd before
But when he was tolde
whan daunger it was
To oppresse his tenauntes
he sayed he did not passe.
For thys thynge he sayde
full certayne he wyste
That wyth hys owne he myghte
alwayes do as he lyste
But immediatlye I trowe
thys oppressoure fyl sicke:

Luke. xvi

Of a voyce that he harde
geue accountes of thy Baliwick

Of Uayne wryters, vaine talkers and vaine hearers.

Of late as I laye
and lacked my reste
At suche time as Titan
drewe faste to the Easte
Thys sayinge of Christe
came into my minde
Whyche certayne and true
all maner menne shall fynde
Of euerye idle worde

Math. xii.

ye shall geue a rekeninge
Be it spoken by mouthe
or put in wrytynge
O Lorde (thought I then)
what case be thy in
That talke and write vaynely
and thinke it no sinne?
Than slombred I a little
and thoughte that I sawe
Thre sortes of vayne menne
condempned by gods lawe
The one was a wryter
of thynges nought and vayne
And an other a talker
and thys was theyr payne.
The wryter hadde the crowne
of hys heade opened
Whose braynes wyth a stycke
the talker styrred
And he wyth boeth handes
drewe the talkers tonge
so that wythout hys mouthe
it was an handefull longe
The thirde was an herkener
of fables and lyes
Whose eares were almost
drawen vp to his eyes

Of unsaciable purchasers

An vnreasonable ryche man
dyd ryde by the way
Who for lacke of menne
hadde wyth hym a boye
And as he paste by a pasture
most pleasaunte to se
Of late I haue purchasid
thys grounde Iacke, quod he
Mary maister (quod the boye)
men saye ouer all
That your purchase is greate
but your housholde is smal
Why Iacke (quod this riche man)
what haue they to do?
Woulde they haue me to purchase
and kepe greate house to?
I can not tell (quod the boye)

Luk. xiiii.

what maketh them to brawle,
But they saye that ye purchase
the Deuill his dame and all

Of Usurars

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