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 Almes houses.

A Marchaunte that longe tyme hadde bene in straunge landes Returned to hys contrey whiche in Europe standes: And in his returne hys waye laye to passe, By a Spittle house 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 gorgeouslye? 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 kynge? 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 waye 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, Vpon these wicked men and that verye shortelye.