 | The schoole of Vertue |  |
the dutie of eche degred. (so) brefely declared.
1
Ye princes, that the earthrule and gouerne,
Seke ye for knowledge
doubtes to discerne.
2
Ye iudges, geue iudgementaccording to righte
As may be founde
acceptable in the lordes sight.
3
Ye prelates, preache purelythe worde of our lorde,
That your liuings & prechinges
in one maie accorde.
4
Ye fathers and mothers,so your children instructe
As maye them to grace
and uertue conducte.
5
Ye chyldren, lykewyseobey your parentes here;
In all godlinesse
see that ye them feare.
6
Ye maisters, do youthe thynge that is righte
Not lokynge what
ye may do by mighte.
7
Ye seruauntes, applieyour busines and arte,
Doinge the same
in singlenesse of harte.
8
Ye husbandes, loue your wyues,and with them dwell,
All bitternesse set aparte,
vsing wordes gentell.
354
9
Ye wyues, to your husbandesbe obedient alwaie,
For they are your heades,
and ye bounde to obeie.
10
Ye persons and vickersthat haue cure and charge,
Take hede to the same,
and roue not at large.
11
Ye men of lawe,in no wyse delaie
The cause of the poore,
but helpe what ye maie.
12
Ye that be craftes men,vse no disceite,
Geuing to all men
tale, measure, and weighte.
13
Ye that be landlordesand haue housen to let,
At reasonable rentes
do them forth set.
14
Ye merchauntes that vsethe trade of merchandise,
Vse lawfull wares
and reasonable prise.
15
Ye subiectes, lyue yein obedience and awe,
Fearyng gods stroke,
and daunger of the lawe.
16
Ye rych, whom godhath goods vnto sente,
Releue the poore
and helpe the indigente.
17
Ye that are poore,with your state be contente,
Not hauinge wherwith
to lyue competente.
18
Ye magestrates, the causeof the widdow and fatherles
Defende againste suche
as shall them opresse.
19
All ye that are calledto any other office,
Execute the same
accordinge to iustice.
355
20
Let eche here so liuein his vocacion,
As maie his soule saue,
and profet his nacion.
21
This graunting god,that sitteth on hie,
we shall here well lyue
and after well die.
Famam virtutis mors Abolire nequit quod. F. S.
| The schoole of Vertue | |