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49. Iustice. Zaleuch and his sonne.

Let rulers make most perfect lawes, to rule both great and smal,
If thei themselues obeye them not, it boteth not at all.
As lawes be nought but rulers dome, cōteining egall might,
So rulers should be speakyng lawes, to rule by line of right.
Zaleuch the prince of Locrine once, appointed by decree,
Eche lecherer should be punished, with losse of either eye.
His sonne by chaunce offended first, which when his father sawe,
Lorde God how earnest then was he, to execute the lawe.
Then ran the people all by flocks, to hym with wepyng eyes,
Not one emong the rout there was, but pardon, pardon cries.
By whose outcries and earnest sute, his sonne in hope did stande,
That he thereby should then obtaine, some pardon at his hande.
But all in vaine for he is founde, to be the man he was,
And maketh hast so muche the more, to haue the lawe to passe.
The people yet renued their sute, in hope of some relief,
Whose faces, all besprent with teares, did testifie their grief.
And cried all for pities sake, yelde now to our request,
If all you wil not cleane remit, yet ease the paine at lest.
Then somewhat was the father moued, with all the peoples voice
And every man did give a shoote, to shewe thei did reioyce.
Well then quoth he it shal be thus, the lawe shalbe fulfilde,
And yet my sonne shall favour have, accordyng as you wilde.
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One eye of his shal be pulde out, thus hath his leudnesse got,
And likewise so shall one of myne, though I deserve it not.
This worde no soner was pronoūcde, but strait ye dede was doen,
Twoo eyes, no mo were left, betwene the father and the sonne.
Saie now who can, and on my faithe Apollo he shalbe,
Was he more gentle father now? or iuster Iudge, trowe ye.
This man would not his lawes be like, the webbs yt spiders weue,
Wherein thei lurke when thei entende, the simple to deceiue.
Wherewith small flies full sone be caught, & tangled ere thei wist,
When greate ones flie and scape awaie, & breake them as thei list.
Finis.
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