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 Abbayes.

AS I walked alone and mused on thynges, That haue in my time bene done by great kings. I bethought me of Abbayes that sometyme I sawe, Whiche are nowe suppressed all by a lawe. O Lorde (thought I then) what occasion was here, To prouide for learninge and make pouertye chere? The landes and the Iewels that hereby were hadde, Would haue foūd godly prechers whiche might well haue ladde: The people aright that nowe go astraye, And haue fedde the pore that famishe euerye daye. But as I thus thought it came to my mynde,

That the people wyll not se but delite to be blynde, Wherfore they are not worthy good preachers to haue, Nor yet to be prouided for but styll in vayne to craue. Than sayd I (O Lorde God) make this time shorte,* 1.1 For their sakes onely Lorde that be thy chosen sort.

Of Alehouses

NEades must we haue places for vitailes to be solde, For such as be sicke pore, feble, and olde. But lorde to howe greate abuse they be growne, In eche lyttle Hamlet, village, and towne. They are become places of waste and excesse, An herber for such menne as lyue in idlenes.

And lyghtlye in the contrey they are placed so, That they stande in mens waye whan they shoulde to churche go. And than suche as loue not to heare their faultes told By the minister that readeth the new testamente and olde. Do turne into the alehouse and let the churche go. Yea, and men accounted wise and honeste do so. But London (God be praysed) all menne maye commend Whiche doeth nowe this greate enormitie emende For in Seruice tyme no dore standeth vp,* 1.2 Where suche men are wonte to fyll canne and cuppe. Woulde God in the contrey they woulde do the same Eyther for goddes feare or for worldely shame.

How hallow they the Saboth that do the time spende, In drynkinge and idlenes tyll the daye be at an ende? Not so well as he doeth that goeth to the plowe, Or pitcheth vp the sheues from the carte to the mowe. * 1.3But he doeth make holye the Sabothe in dede, That heareth Goddes worde and helpeth suche as nede.

Of Allayes.

TWo sortes of Allayes in London I finde, The one agaynste the lawe and the other againste kinde. The firste is where bowlinge forbidden menne vse, And wastynge their good do their laboure refuse. * 1.4But in London (alas) some men are deuillishelye

Suffered to professe it, as an arte to lyue by. Well I wyll saye no more but suche as lyue so, And officers that suffer them shall togither go. To Satan their fire for of god they are not, Who commaundeth to laboure syxe dayes ye wotte.* 1.5 And the seuenth he commaundeth all menne to sanctifie, In beynge well occupied and not idlelye The other sorte of Allayes that be agaynste kynde,* 1.6 Do make my herte wepe whan they come to my mind. For there are pore people welmoste innumerable, That are dryuen to begge, and yet to worcke they are able. If they might haue althinges prouided aright,

Alas, is not thys, a greate ouer syght? Ye Aldermen and other that take Allaye rente Why bestowe ye not the riches that god hath you sente. In woule or in flaxe to finde them occupied That nowe lye and begge by euerye highe waye side. And you that be chiefe and haue the commune treasure Why can you neuer finde a time of leasure To se where the treasure will finde them workinge To the profit of the Citye in some maner thinge But (alas) this my tale, is to deafe men tolde For the charitie of rich men is nowe thorowe colde. And this is a Citye in name, but in dede

It is a packe of people that seke after mede.* 1.7 For officers and all do seke their owne gaine, But for the wealth of y^e commons not one taketh paine An hell without order I maye it well call Where euerye man is for him selfe and no manne for all.

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.

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. * 1.8Ye 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.

Of Bawdes.

THe bawdis of the stues be turned all out But some thinke they inhabit, al England through out

In tauerns and tiplyng houses, many myght be founde If officers would make serch but as they are bounde Well let them take heede I wyll say no more But when god reuengeth he punisheth sore An horrible thynge, it is for to fall Into that Lordis handis* 1.9 that is eternall

Of Beggers.

THe Beggars whome nede compelleth to craue Ought at our handis some reliefe to haue But such as do counterfayt, haueynge theyr strength To labour if they luste, beyng knowne at the length Ought to be constrayned, to worcke what they can

And lyue on theyr laboures as besemeth a christyan And if they refuse to worcke for theyr meate * 1.10Then ought they to faste as not worthy to eate And such as be sore and wyll not be healed Oughte not many case to be charished I heard of two beggars * 1.11that vnder an hedge sate who dyd wyth longe talke theyr matters debate. They had boeth sore legges most lothsome to se Al rawe from the fote welmost to the knee My legge, quod the one I thank god is fayre So is myne (quod the other) in a colde ayre For then it loketh rawe and as redde as any bloud

I would not haue it healed for any worldis good For were it once whole my lyuinge were gone, And for a sturdye begger I shoulde be take anone. No manne woulde pittye me but for my sore legge, Wherfore if it were whole I might in vaine begge. I shoulde be constrained to laboure and sweate, And perhaps sometime wyth schourges be beate. Well (sayde the tother) lette vs take hede therefore, That we let them nor heate but kepe them styll sore. An other thynge I hearde of a begger that was lame,* 1.12 Muche like one of these if it were not the same. Who syttinge by the fire wyth the cuppe in hys hande.

Began to wonder whan he shoulde be a good husbande. I shall neuer thriue (quod this beger) I wene, For I gate but .xvi.d. to daye and haue spente eyghtene. Well let the worlde wagge we muste neades haue drynke Go fyll me this quarte pot full to the brynke, The tonge muste haue bastinge it wyll the better wagge, To pull a goddes penye out of a churles bagge. Yet cesse not to gyue to all wythoute anye regarde, Thoughe the beggers be wicked thou shalte haue thy rewarde.

Of Bearbaytynge.

WHat follye is thys? to kepe wyth daunger, A greate mastyfe dogge and a foule ouglye Beare.

And to this onelye ende to se them two fyght, Wyth terrible tearynge a full ouglye syght. And yet me thynke those men be mooste foles of all Whose store of money is but verye smale. And yet euerye sondaye they wyll surelye spende, One penye or two the bearwardes liuyng to mende. At Paryse garden eche sondaye a man shall not fayle,* 1.13 To find two or thre hundredes for the bearwardes vaile. One halpenye a piece they vse for to giue When some haue no more in their purse I beleue. Well, at the laste daye theyr conscience wyll declare That the pore ought to haue all that they maye spare.

* 1.14For God hathe commaunded that what we maye spare, Be geuen to the pore that be full of care. If you giue it therefore to se a Beare fyght, Be ye sure goddes curse wyl vpon you lyght.

Of Brawlers.

A Brawler that loueth to breake the kinges peace, And seke his owne sorowe his fansye to please. Is lyke a curre Dogge that setteth vpon Eche mastyfe and hounde that he maye light on. He getteth hym hatered of euerye manne And meteth with his maister euer nowe and than. To hurte other menne he taketh greate payne: He turneth no manne

to profite or gayne. Except it be the Surgian or the Armorer The Baylife, the constable or the Iayler. This is a worthye membre in a commune wealthe, That to worcke other wo will lose his owne health. What other men will iudge I can not tell But if he scape Tiburne I thinke he wyll hange in hell.

Of Blasphemous swerers.

THe sonne of Syrach wryteth playnelye,* 1.15 Of suche menne as do sweare blasphemouselye. The manne that sweareth muche shall be fylled, sayeth he, Wyth all wicked maners and iniquitie. In the house of that manne

the plage shall not cease, He shall be styll plaged eyther more or lesse. * 1.16Christe biddeth all hys, affirme and denye, Wyth yea yea, nay naye, affirmynge no lye. What so euer ye adde more (sayeth he) cometh of euyll. And is of the wycked suggestion of the deuill. But we can not talke wythouten othes plentye Some sweare by gods nayles hys herte and hys bodye, And some sweare his fleshe, hys bloude and his fote. And some by his guttes hys lyfe and herte rote. Some other woulde seme all swearynge to refrayne, And they inuente idle othes such is their idle brayne. By cocke and by pye

and by the gose wynge By the crosse of the mouse fote and by sa••ncre chyckyn. And some sweare by the deuell suche is their blindenes, Not knowynge that they cal these thynges to wytnes. Of their Consciences in that they affirme or denye, So boeth sortes commit moste abhominable blasphemie.

Of the colier of Croydon.

IT is sayde that in Croydon there dyd sometyme dwell, A Colier that did all other Coliers excell. For his riches thys Colier myghte haue bene a knight But in the order of knighthode he hadde no delyght. Woulde god all our knightes did minde colinge no more, Than this Colier did knyghtyng

as is sayde before. For whan none but pore coliars dyd wyth coales mell, At a reasonable pryce They dyd theyr coales sell. But sence oure knighte Coliars haue hadde the firste sale We haue payde muche money and had fewe sackes to tale. A lode that of late yeres for a royall was solde, Wyll coste nowe .xvi.s. of syluer or golde. God graunte these men grace their pollynge to refrayne. Or els brynge them backe to theyr olde state agayne. And especiallye the Colier that at Croydon doth sell, For men thynke he is cosen to the Coliar of hel.

Of Commotioners.

WHen the bodye is vexed through humors corrupted To restore it to helth those humours muste be purged For if they remayne they wyll styl encrease: Euerye daye more and more and augment the disease. So that in shorte tyme the bodye muste decaye, Excepte God gyue health by some other waye. Euen so doeth it fare by the weale publike Whyche chaunceth to be often diseased and sycke. Throughe the mischeuous malyce of suche menne as be, Desierous to breake the publyke vnitie. Eche publike bodye muste be purged therfore Of these rotten humours as is sayde before.

Else wyll it decaye, as do the bodies naturall When rotten humours haue infected them ouer all But if the publyke bodie, can not be purged well By force of purgacion as phicisins do tell When bodies be weake, and so lowe brought That by purgacion, no health can be wrought Then must there be sought some easyer waye To kil y^e strength of those humors as phiasians saye. When the swerde wyll not helpe in the commune wealth To purge it of Commotioners and brynge it to health. Than muste discrete counsel fynde wayes to kyll, The power of those rebels and lette them of their wyll.

And that muste be by cherishynge the humours naturall, And by quyckenynge agayne of the spirites vytall. Whyche in the commune wealthe are the subiectes true, That do alwaye studye Sedition to eschewe. When these mē through cherishing do growe and be stronge: Than can not Commocioners continue longe. For as whan the strength of yll humours is kylled, In a naturall bodye they be sone comsumed. Or made of euill good as it is playne to se: So wyll it betyde of suche menne as be. In the commune wealth geuen vnto sedision, When they se they cannot finyshe their intention.

And what is their power but the people ignoraunte Whom thei do abuse by their councelles malignaunt? When the hertes of the people be wonne to their prince, Than can no commotioners do hurte in hys prouince. If thys will not helpe than God wyll take cure, And destroy these Commosioners we maye be right sure. Excepte the tyme be come that the bodye muste dye, For than there canne be found no maner remedy. God graunte that oure synne haue not broughte vs so lowe, That we be passe cure god onelye doeth thys knowe. And I truste to se healthe agayne if the finall ende, Be not nowe nere at hande whyche the Lorde shortelye sende.

Of commen drunkardes.

ESaye lamenteth and sayeth oute alas Muche wo shall betide you that do youre tyme passe.* 1.17 In eatinge and drinckynge frome morninge to nighte, Till none of your membres canne do his office righte. Woe be to you, sayeth he, that do so earlye rise, To fyll your selues with drincke in suche beastelye wise But if he were nowe liuynge and sawe this worldes state, He wold say this of our drunkards that sitte vp so late. For fewe of oure drunckardes do vse to rise earelye, But muche of the nighte they wyll drincke lustelye. Well,* 1.18 sainte Paule doeth warne all that be of pure mynde To auoide drunckardes companye

where so euer they do them finde. Se ye neyther eate nor drincke wyth suche menne, sayeth he, That be geuen to drinkinge what so euer they be, But alas manye curates that shoulde vs thys tell Do all their parishioners in drynckynge excell.

Of commune Liars.

* 1.19SOlomon the sage in Sapience doeth saye That the mouthe that lyeth doeth the verye soule sleye. If the murderer of bodies be worthye to dye, The murderer of soules shoulde not escape, trowe I. For as the Soule doeth the bodye excell So is his treaspace greater that doeth the soule quell. But Lyars (alas) are nowe muche set by,

And thought to be menne in a maner necessarie. To be entertayned of eche noble manne, Who are muche delighted wyth lyes nowe and than. But thys delite will be sorowe I feare me at the laste, Whan the liar for hys liynge into paines shall be caste.

Of Dicears.

EMonge wyttye saiynges this precept I finde,* 1.20 To auoid and fle dice (my son) haue euer in mynde. For diceynge hath brought many wealthye menne to care, And manye ryche heyre it hath made full bare. Some menne it hath sette vp I will not denye, And brought to more worship than they be worthye.

God knoweth to what ende he suffereth this thyng Perchaunce to rewarde them wyth hel at their endynge. For doubtlesse those goodes are gotten amisse That are goten from him that prodigall is. And especially at the dyce, where boeth do intende To get the others goodis, or else his owne to spende. Nowe if prodigalitye or couetise be vyce He can not but offend, that playeth at the dyce For be they two or mo, thys thyng is certayne Prodigalytie and couetise do in them all raygne Besyde the wycked othes, and the tyme myspent Wherof they thyncke they nede not them selues to repent.

But thys I dare saye, that though dyrynge were no sin, Nor the goodis mysgoten, that men do therat wynne Yet the othes that they swere and the tyme myspent Shall be theyr damnacion vnlesse they repent. Leaue of your vayne dyceyng ye dycers therefore For vnlesse ye repent, god hath vengeaunce in store And when ye thynke least, then wyl he pour it oute And make you to stoupe, be ye neuer so stoute.

Of double benificed men.

THe kynge of that realme, where iustice doeth reygne Perused olde statutis, that in bokis remayne. And as he turned the boke, him chaunced to se

That suche as haue benifices shoulde residente be. And haue their abidynge whiles their lyfe shold endure Emonge them ouer whom god hath geuen them cure. Than sayde he to him selfe I thynke well there is, No lawe in thys realme worse obserued than this. Yet canne there nothynge my flocke more decaye, Than whan hirelynges suffer my shepe to go astraye. Then called he hys counsell and tolde them his minde, And willed that they shoulde some remedye finde. Who with good aduice agreed on thys thinge, That visitours shoulde be sent with the power of the kynge To punyshe all suche as herein dyd offende

Vnlesse they were founde thorowe wyllynge to amende. These visitours found many stout priestes, but chieflye one,* 1.21 That hadde sondrye benifices but woulde surrender none. Than was this stoute felowe brought to the kynge, Who saide vnto hym, syr howe chaunceth this thing? Wil ye transegresse my lawes and than disobeye: Menne hauing my power? syr what canne you saye? If it may like your grace (quod he) loe here is to se, Your seale at a graunte of a pluralitie. Wel, saide the kinge than, I repente me of all yll: But tell me maister doctoure wil you haue your benifices styl? If your grace do me righte ({quod} he) I must haue them my life tyme,

So shalt thou (quod the kynge) for to morow by pryme God wyllynge, thy body, shalbe diuided and sent To ech benifice a piece, to make the resident. Away wyth him (quod the kyng) and let al thyngis be done As I haue geuen sentence, to morower none For syth thou arte a stoute priest an example thou shalt be That all stouburne priestes, may take warnyng by the.

Of the Exchecker

IN the weste parte of Europe there was sometyme a kynge That had a courte for receyte, of money to him belonging. But the ministers for that Court, dyd longe & many a daye Take brybes to beare w^t suche mē as should forfaytis pay.

At the laste to the kynge, this theyr falshode was tolde By such as about him, were faythful and bolde. Then dyd the kynge send, for these ministers yll And layed all theyr treaspases, before them in a byl. Then were they abashed, and had nought to say But cried for his pardon, but he bade awaye. Ye haue borne w^t theues, and haue robbed me And suffered my commons, impoueryshed to be. No statute could cause, offendars to emende Because you dyd beare wyth them when they dyd offende. Awaye wyth them all, laye them fast in prisone Tyll we haue determined, what shall wyth them be done.

What iudgment they had, I haue not hearde yet. But well I wot they deserued, a tiburne typpet.

Of Fatterars.

A Flatterynge frende, is worse then a foe. For a frende is betrusted, when the other is not so. Of an open enimie, a man may be ware, * 1.22when the flatteryng frend, wyl worcke men much care. For if Abner had knowne, what was in Ioabs herte. I do not doubt but he would, haue out of his waye sterte. Or at the leaste he would not, haue admitted him so ny: As to be embraced of him, and on his dagger to dye. Wherefore I aduertise al men to be ware

Of all flatterynge frendis, that bryng men to care. As for open ennimies, trust them if ye wyll, I can not forbyd you, to admyt your owne yll. Woulde god all men woulde, such flatterars trye: As hange at theyr elbowes to get some what therby. But (alas) nowe adayes, men of honour do promote: Many a false flatterynge, and lewde harlot. Whych thynge may at the lengthe be theyr owne decay. For if the wynde turne, the flatterars wyll awaye. The swallowe in sommer wyll in your house dwell, But when wynter is commynge she wyll saye farewell. And when the short dayes, begyn to be colde

Robyn red breast wyll come hom•• to you and be verye bolde. But whan somer returneth and bushes waxe grene, Then Robyn your manne will no more be sene. So some of your flatterers will in prosperitie, Be of your housholde and of your familie. And some other wyll whan nede doeth them payne Sue to do you seruice till they be wealthy againe.

Of Foles.

THe preacher sayth thus * 1.23a pore wittye ladde, Is better than an olde kyng whose wytte is but badde. The wise manne in pouertie is righte honorable, Whan the fole in his riches is worthie a bable.

Some foles there be of nature that vnderstande noughte, And some vnderstande thinges But do conceiue in their thought That they them selues be wisest whiche follye passeth all, And doeth sone appeare boeth in greate and smale. These foles wyll heare no mans reade or counsell, And whatsoeuer they thē selues do is exceadynge-well. But other mens doinges they wyll euer dispraise None other can do oughte that maye their myndes please. And further they thinke it becommeth them well In euerye mannes matter them selues to entermell. And whan they come in place where is anye talke, No man shall haue time to speake, their tonges shall so walke.

Of theyr owne dedis and goodis, they wyll brage and boste And declare all theyr myshaps, and what they haue loste. If ye tell them of theyr fautes, then wyl they nedis fyght Ye muste saye as they saye, be it wronge or ryght In fyne ye must prayse them and set forth theyr fame And how so euer they do, Ye may them not blame. If ye tell them of knowledg, they saye they lacke none And wyshe they had lesse, and then they make mone For the losse of vayne toyes, where in they delyte And then if ye reasone farre, beware, they wyll fyght All wise men take hede, and shunne theyr companye For of all other men, they are moste vngodly

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. * 1.24Se that amonge you none seke his owne gayne, But profite eche other

wyth trauayle and payne.

Of Godlesse men.

HOlye Dauid that was boeth prophete and kinge Sawe in hys tyme (as appeareth by hys writinge) That in those daies there were men of wicked hert,* 1.25 That did all godlye wayes vtterlye peruerte. And so there are nowe the pitye is the more, That lyue more carnallye than euer men did before. These men (sayeth kinge Dauid) in their hertes do saye, Surelye there is no God let vs take our owne waye. Thus iudged kynge Dauid and that for good skyll Bicause he sawe their worckes were wycked and euyll. They are (sayeth he) corrupt

and nought in all theyr wayes Not one that doeth good. and therfore he sayes That they thyncke there is no god theyr worckis do declare For to do the thynge that good is they haue no maner care. But what would Dauid saye, if he were in these dayes, when men wyll do Ill, and iustifie theyr yll weyes? They leaue the good vndone, and do that yll is. And then they call that yll good, what woulde Dauid saye to this? I know not what Dauid would saye in this case. But I knowe that good Esay, doeth cursse them apase. * 1.26Woe, sayth this prophete, to them that in do call. That thyng good that euell is but this is not all. He sayeth woe to them,

that call dearckenes lyghte. Preferryng theyr fansey, before the worde of myght If they fynde a thynge wrytten in Paul, Luke or Iohn Or any other scripture, they wyll ther of none: Except they may easily, perceyue and se. That wyth theyr fleshly fansey, they may make it agre. All other textis of scripture, they wyll not stycke to deny. Yea some of them wyll, god and his scripture defie. And say they wyll make merie here for when they be gone, They can haue no ioye, for soule they haue none. If these menne be not godles muche maruell haue I, Well, the cause is the Lordes lette hym and them trye. I knowe at the laste

they shall fynde him to strong. The daye of his vengeaunce, wyll not tarye longe.

Of Idle persons

IDlenes hath ben cause * 1.27of much wyckednes. As Ecclesiasticus, doeth playnely wytnes. Idle persons therfore, can not be all cleare. As by the storie of Sodome, it doeth well appeare But that we may come nere, to our owne age The Idlenes of Abbays, made them outrage. Yet let vs come nere, euen to the tyme present. And se what myschyfe, Idle persons do inuent. What cōspiracies haue bē wroght wythin this lyttle whyle. By Idle men that dyd,

the commons begyle. And what haue Idle men, alwaye practised. To breake the peace of prynces, that they myght be hyered. I wyll not saye what, the Idlenes of priestis hath done Nor yet the Idlenes, of seruantis in London Let euerie man search, his owne houshold well, And whether the thynge, be true that I tell. Yea what abuse dyde euer, emonge the people rayne. But the same dyd fyrst sprynge. out of an Idle brayn. Idlenes therfore, maye ryghte well be named The gate of all mischiefe that euer was framed. Ye maisters and fathers therfore that feare God omnipotente, Kepe youre families occupied

leaste ye be shente. For if thorowe their idlenes they fall into outrage, Your iudgemente shall be strayght, for they ar cōmitted to your charge Kepe them therfore styll occupied, in doynge youre busines. Or els in readynge or hearyng some bokes of Godlines. And woulde god the maiestrates woulde se men set a worke, And that within thys realme none were suffered to lurke. This realme hath thre cōmodities woule, tynne, and leade, Which beīg wrought w^t in y^e realme eche man might get his bread.

¶ Of inuenters of straūge newes.

SOme men do delite straunge newes to inuente, Of this mannes doynge and that mannes intente. What is done in Fraunce

and in the Emperours lande, And what thinges the Scotes are nowe takynge in hand. What the kynge and hys counsell, do intende to do, Thoughe for the moste parte it be nothynge so. Suche men cause the people that els woulde be styll, To murmure and grudge whiche thinge is verye yll. Yea,* 1.28 sometyme they cause the people to ryse, And assemble them selues in moste wicked wyse. In Plato hys commune wealth suche men shoulde not dwell, For Poets and Oratours he dyd expel. Oh that these newes bryngers hadde for their rewarde, Newe halters of hempe to sette them forwarde.

¶ Of Lay mē that take tithes, and priestes that vse their tythes priuatelye.

VVhan Iustice beganne in iudgemente to sitte, To punishe all suche menne as faultes did committe. Than was there a manne before hyr accused, For tithes that he toke, and priuatelye vsed. Whan due profe was hadde and the thynge manifeste, The witnesses sworne, and the trespace confeste. Then gaue the Iudge iudgment and these wordes he spake Se that from this Caytife all his goodes ye take. For seing he made that priuate that commune shoulde be, He shall haue this iustice by the iudgemente of me. Those pore men that by the tythes shoulde be releeued

Shal haue al hys goods emonge them deuided. And bicause he shewed no mercye, no mercye shall he haue,* 1.29 The sentence is geuen, go hange vp the slaue.

Of Leasemongers.

OF late a Leasemonger of London lay sicke, And thinckinge to dye his conscience did hym pricke. Wherefore he sayde thus wyth hym selfe secretely, I will s••nd for a preacher to knowe what remedye. But whiles he thus laye he fell in a slumbre, And sawe in his dreame pore folke a great numbre. Whoe sayde they had learned thys, at the preachers hande, To paye all with patience that their Landelordes demaunde.

For they for their sufferaunce in suche oppression, Are promised rewarde in the resurrection. Where suche as take leases them selues to aduaunce, Are certayne to haue hell, by ryghte inheritaunce.

Of Marchauntes.

IF Marchauntes wold medle, wyth Marchaundice onelye, And leaue farmes to such men as muste lyue therebye. Then were they moste worthye to be hadde in pryce, As menne that prouide vs, of all kyndes Marchaundice. But sythe they take farmes to lette them out agayne, To suche men as muste haue them thoughe it be to their payne. And to leauye greate fines or to ouer the rente,

And purchase greate landes for the same intente: We muste neades call them membres vnprofitable, As menne that woulde make all the realme miserable. Howe they leaue of their trade and lende oute their money To yonge Marchaunte menne for greate vsurye, Whereby some yong men are dryuen to leaue all, And do into moste extreme pouertye fall: It greueth me to wryte, but what remedie? They muste heare their faulte sythe they be so greadye. And thus I saye to them and true they shall it fynde, The Lorde wyll haue all their yll doynges in mynd. And at the laste daye whan they shall arise.

All shall be layde playne before theyr owne eyes. Where iudgemente shall be geuen * 1.30as saynte Iames doeth wytnes. Wythoute all mercye, to suche as be merciles.

¶ Of men that haue diuers offices

WHan the Citye of Rome was ruled aryght, As aunciente Autours do recorde and wryte Ambition was punished wyth vtter exile Yet were there some that did venter some whyle. But we reade not of anye that euer wente aboute, To haue two offices at once were they neuer so stout. But alas in this Realme we counte hym not wyse, That seketh not by all meanes that he canne deuise.

To racke offices togither wythoute anye staye, But Christe shal say to these menne at the laste daye. Geue accoūts of your Baliwickes ye menne wythoute grace,* 1.31 Ye that sought to be rulers in euerye place. Geue accountes of your Baliwike for come is the daye, That ye muste leaue youre offices and walke your fathers waye.

Of Nice wyues.

THe sonne of Sirache of women doeth saye,* 1.32 That their nicenes & hordom is perceiued alwaye. By their wanton lokes and liftynge vp of eyes, And their lokinge ascoye in moste wanton wise. And in the same Iesus Syrach I fynde That the gate and the garment* 1.33

do declare the mynd. If these thyngis be true, as no doubt they be. What shold we thynk of the womē that in London we se? For more wanton lokis, I dare boldly saye. Were neuer in Iewish whores, then in London wines this day and if the gate and the garmentis, do shew any thynge. Our wyues do passe theyr whoris, in whorlyke deckyng. I thyncke the abhominable, whores of the stewes Dyd neuer more whorelyke, attyerments vse. A cappe on hir head, lyke a sowes mawe. Such an other facion, I thyncke the Iewe, neuer saw. Then fyne geare on the forehead, set after the new tryk. Though it cost a crown or two.

what then? they maye not stycke. If theyr heyre wyl not take colour then must thei by newe. And laye it oute in tussockis, this thynge is to true. At ech syde a tussocke, as bygge as a ball. A very fayre syght for a fornicator bestiall, Hyr face faire paynted, to make it shyne bryght. And hyr bosome all bare, and moste whorelyke dight. Hyr mydle braced in, as smale as a wande: And some bye wastes of wyre at the paste wyues hande. A bumbe lyke a barrell wyth whoopes at the skyrte, Hyr shoes of such stuffe that maye touche no dyrte. Vpon hyr whyte fyngers manye rynges of golde, Wyth suche maner stones

as are most dearlye solde. Of all their other trifles I wyll saye nothynge, Leaste I haue but small thanckes for thys my writynge. All modeste Matrons I truste wyll take my parte, As for nice whippers wordes shall not come nye my hert. I haue tolde them but trueth let them saye what they wyll, I haue sayde they be whore like and so I saye still.

Of Obstinate Papistes

AN obstinate Papiste that was sometyme a Frier Hadde of his Friers cote so greate a desire. That he stale out of England and wente to Louayne. And gate his Fryers cote on his foles backe agayne. A wilfull Begger

this papist wyll be. A fole and a fryer, and thus is one man three. Would god all the papistis, that he lefte behynd. Where wyth him in fryes cotis, accordyng to theyr kynde. Or els I would they were, wyth theyr father the pope. For whylse they be in England, they do but lyue in hope. And except they myght get, the Bible boke burned. Into dispeyre theyr hope, wyll shortly be turned. God graunte them the grace this hope to forsake, And their naturall prynce for their heade to take. Forsakinge the Pope, wyth all hys peltrye: Whiche of longe tyme they haue sette so much by.

Of rente raysers.

A Manne that had landes of tenne pounde by yere Surueyed the same and lette it out deare. So that often pounde he made well a score, Moe poundes by the yere than other did before. But whan he was tolde what daunger it was To oppresse hys tenauntes he sayde he did not passe. For thys thynge he sayde full certaynelye he wyste, That wyth hys owne he myghte, alwayes do as he liste. But immediatlye I trowe thys oppressoure fyl sicke: * 1.34Of a voyce that he hearde geue accountes of your Baliwicke.

Of Vayne wryters, vaine talkers and vaine hearers.

OF late as I laye and lacked my reste, At suche time as Titan drewe faste to the Easte. Thys sayinge of Christe came into my minde, Whyche certayne and true all maner menne shall fynde. Of euerye idle worde ye shall geue a rekeninge.* 1.35 Be it spoken by mouthe, or put in wrytynge. O Lorde (thought I then) what case be they in, That talke and write vaynely and thinke it no sinne? Than slombred I a little and thoughte that I sawe, Thre sortes of vayne menne condempned by gods lawe. The one was a writer of thynges nought and vayne. And an other a talker and thys was theyr paine.

The wryter hadde the crowne of hys heade opened, Whose braynes wyth a stycke the talker styrred. And he wyth boeth handes drewe the talkers tonge, so that without hys mouthe it was an handefull longe. The thirde was an herkener of fables and lyes, Whose eares were almost drawen vp to hys eyes.

Of vnsaciable purchasers.

AN vnreasonable ryche manne dyd ryde by the way, Who for lacke of menne hadde wyth hym a boye. And as he paste by a pasture most pleasaunte to se, Of late I haue purchased thys grounde Iacke, quod he, Marye maister (quod the boye) men saye ouer all, That your purchase is greate but your housholde is smal.

Why Iacke (quod this riche man) what haue they to do? Woulde they haue me to purchase and kepe greate house to?* 1.36 I can not tell (quod the boye) what maketh them to brawle. But they saye that ye purchase the Deuill, his dame and all.

Of Vsurers.

A Certaine man hadde landes little thoughe it were, And yet wold faine haue liued lyke a gentlemans peare. Of thys lande he made sale and toke readye golde, And let that for double the rente of the lande that was solde. Than came there a broker, and saide if he woulde do: As he woulde aduise hym, he shoulde make of one penye two. Marye that woulde I fayne do (quod this vsurer than) I praye the teache me

the feate if thou can. You shall (sayde thys broker) lende but for a monethes day: And be sure of a suffitiente gage alwaye. Wyth a plaine bill of sale if the day be not kept, And se that ye do no causes accepte. Than muste you be sure that your intereste be One penye for a shyllynge and thre pence for three. So by the yeres ende twelue moneths geue twelue pens For the vse of a shyllinge lo I haue tolde you al sens. Than saide this vsurer this matter goeth well, For my twentye pounde lande that I chaunced to sell. I shall haue foure hundred pounde rente by the yere, To lyue lyke a Lorde

and make iolye chere. Than came there a Prophete and tolde thys manne plaine That heauen is no place,* 1.37 for suche vnlawefull gayne. Why sir (quod this Vsurer) it is my liuynge, Yea syr (quod this Prophet) but it is not youre calling. You are called to liue after twentye pounde by yere, And after that rate ye shoulde measure your chere. Tyll god did encrease you by his mercifull wayes, By encreasynge youre corne and youre cattell in the leyes. Whych encrease wyth your landes you are bounde to employe, To the profite of all them that do dwell you bye. Ye are not borne to your selfe neither maye you take That thinge for youre owne

where of God did you make. But Stuarde and Baylife that shall yelde a rekeninge, At the daye of Iudgemente, * 1.38for euerye thynge. And do ye not doubte but then ye shall knowe, Whether ye maye your goodes at youre pleasure bestowe. And whether ye maye vse wayes wicked and yll, To encrease your riches at youre owne will. But chieflye to lende youre goodes to vsurie, Is a thinge that you shall moste dearelye abye. For Christe saieth in Luke that the Heathen do so, * 1.39Take hede lest ye flytte frome pleasure to woe.

Finis.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mat. 24.
• * 1.2

  A cōmen∣dation of London.
• * 1.3

  Mat. xiii
• * 1.4

  A disprai∣se of Lon∣don.
• * 1.5

  Exo. xxiii.
• * 1.6

  Allayes agaynste kynde.
• * 1.7

  Loke the diffinitiō of a citye you that be serued
• * 1.8

  The bay∣lifes had∣lande
• * 1.9

  Hebr. x.
• * 1.10

  i. Tim iii
• * 1.11

  Of two beggers
• * 1.12

  Of an o∣ther beg∣ger.
• * 1.13

  Parise garden
• * 1.14

  Eccle. iiii
• * 1.15

  Eccl. xxiii
• * 1.16

  Math. v.
• * 1.17

  Esaye. v.
• * 1.18

  i. Cor. i.
• * 1.19

  Sapi. i.
• * 1.20

  Cato.
• * 1.21

  Osee. iiii
• * 1.22

  ii. Re. iii.
• * 1.23

  Eccle. iiii
• * 1.24

  i. Cor. x.
• * 1.25

  Psal. viii
• * 1.26

  Esai. v.
• * 1.27

  Eccle 33
• * 1.28

  We sawe the expe∣rience of thys of late.
• * 1.29

  Iacob. ii.
• * 1.30

  Iacob. ii.
• * 1.31

  Luke. xvi
• * 1.32

  Eccl. xxvi
• * 1.33

  Eccle. xi
• * 1.34

  Luke. xvi
• * 1.35

  Mat. xii.
• * 1.36

  Luk. xiiii
• * 1.37

  Psal. xv.
• * 1.38

  Luke. xvi
• * 1.39

  Luke. vi.