One and thyrtye epigrammes wherein are brieflye touched so manye abuses, that maye and ought to be put away / compiled and imprinted by Robert Crowley, dwellinge in Elye rentes in Holburne.

Of Forestallers.

THe fryses of Walis to Brystow are brought But before they are wouen in walis they are boughte So that now we do paye, four grotis or else more For the fryse we haue bought, for eight pens heretofore And some saye the woule, is bought ere it do growe And the corne long before, it come in the mowe. But one thyng there is, that hurteth most of all. Many offices are bought, longe ere they fall. And ryght so are benefices, in euery coaste. So that persons and vicars, kepe neyther sod nor roaste. The pore of the parish, whom the person should fede. Can haue nought of our tythis,

to succoure their nede. Reuertions of farmes are bought on eche syde, And the old tenaunt must pay well if he wil abide. And where the father payd a penye and a Capon or twayne, The sonne must paye ten pounde thys passeth my brayne Well, let these forestallers repente them betime, Leaste the clarke of the market be with them ere prime. For he when he commeth will punishe them all, That do anie neadefull thinge ingrosse or forestall. For well I wotte this when he wente laste away He sente vs his seruaunte and thus did he saye. * 1.1Se that amonge you none seke his owne gayne, But profite eche other

wyth trauayle and payne.

Notes

• * 1.1

  i. Cor. x.