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 Baylife Arrantes.

A Baylife there was in the weste contrey, That did as they do in all quarters men saye. He serued with one wryte an whole score or twayne, And toke in hande to excuse them hauinge pence for hys payne. And when he should warne a quest in sessions to appeare, He woulde surely warne them that woulde make him no cheare. And than take a bribe to make answere for them, But when he metie 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. Ye must geue him some thynge. to sowe his hadlande Or else ye can haue, no fauoure at his hande. Some puddyngis 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.

Notes

• The bay∣lifes had∣lande