sig: [A1] | |||||||||||||||
¶One and thyrtye Epigrammes, wherein are bryefly touched so many Abuses, that maye and ought to be put away. Compiled and Imprinted by Robert_Crowley, dwellynge in Elye_rentes in Holburne. Anno domini, 1550. | |||||||||||||||
i. Cor .xiiii. What-so-euer ye do, let the same be done to edifie wythall. Gala .i. i] vi 1550, B If I shoulde study to please men: tha[n] coulde I not be the seruaunt of Christe. | |||||||||||||||
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¶The table of the contentes of thys boke. |
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A
| Of Abbayes. |
| Of Alehouses. |
| Of Allayes. |
| Of Almes-houses. |
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B
| Of Balyarrantes. |
| Of Baudes. |
| Of Beggars.Beggars] Beggarrs 1550
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| Of Berebaytyng. |
| Of Brawlars. |
| Of Blasphemouse Swerars. |
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C
| Of Colyars. |
| Of Commocionars. |
| Of Commune drounkards. |
| Of Commune Lyars. |
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D
| Of Dyce-playars. |
| Of Double-beneficed men. |
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[E] E] 1550 omits
| Of the Excheker. |
sig:
[A2v] |
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F
| Of Flatterars. |
| Of Foles. |
| Of Forestallars. |
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G
| Of Godles men. |
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I
| Of Idle persons. |
| Of Inuentars of straynge newes |
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L
| Of Laye-men that take tythes. |
| Of Leasemongars. |
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M
| Of Marchauntes. |
| Of Men that haue diuers offices |
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N
| Of Nice wyues. |
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O
| Of Obstinate Papistes. |
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R
| Of Rent-raysars. |
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U
| Of Uayne wrytars. |
| Of Unsaciable Purchaysars. |
| Of Usura[r]s.Usurars] Usuras 1550
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sig: A3 | |||||||||||||||
The Boke to the Reader. |
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IF bokes may be bolde to blame and reproue, | |||||||||||||||
The faultes of all menne boeth hyghe and lowe: | |||||||||||||||
As the Prophetes dyd whom Gods spirite did moue | |||||||||||||||
Than blame not myne Autor for right well I knowe: | |||||||||||||||
5 | Hys penne is not tempered vayne doctrine to sowe, | ||||||||||||||
But as Esaye hath bydden so muste he nedes crye, | |||||||||||||||
And tell the Lordes people of their iniquitie. | |||||||||||||||
Nowe if I do the worldelinges in anye poynte offende | |||||||||||||||
In that I reproue them for their wyckednes: | |||||||||||||||
10 | It is a plaine token they wyll not emende | ||||||||||||||
I take all the wyse-men of the earth to wytnes, | |||||||||||||||
sig: [A3v] | |||||||||||||||
To them therfore mine Autor biddeth me confesse, | |||||||||||||||
That sith they be determined styll in their synne to dwell: | |||||||||||||||
He accounteth them no better than fire-brandes of hell. | |||||||||||||||
15 | Wherefore he bade me bid them holde them contente, | ||||||||||||||
He hath not written to them that will not emende, | |||||||||||||||
For to the willinge wicked no prophete shall be sente, | |||||||||||||||
Excepte it be to tell them that at the laste ende | |||||||||||||||
They shal be sure and certayne wyth Satanas to wende, | |||||||||||||||
20 | for before suche swyne no pearles maye be caste, | ||||||||||||||
That in the filthye puddell take all their repaste, | |||||||||||||||
To suche onely therfore I muste his message do, | |||||||||||||||
As haue not their delite in wickednes to dwell, | |||||||||||||||
sig: [A4] | |||||||||||||||
But when they heare their fault are sorye they dyd so, | |||||||||||||||
25 | And louingely imbrace suche men as do them tell, | ||||||||||||||
Reformynge euermore their lyfe by the gospell, | |||||||||||||||
To these men am I sente and these I truste will take | |||||||||||||||
My warnynge in good parte and their euill forsake, | |||||||||||||||
Iohn .viii. He that is of God, heareth the worde of God. | |||||||||||||||
Finis, |
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sig: [A4v] [page blank] | |||||||||||||||
sig: [A5] | |||||||||||||||
Of Abbayes. |
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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, | |||||||||||||||
5 | 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 found godly prechers which might well haue ladde: | |||||||||||||||
The people aright that now go astraye, | |||||||||||||||
10 | And haue fedde the pore that famishe euerye daye, | ||||||||||||||
But as I thus thought it came to my mynde, | |||||||||||||||
sig: [A5v] | |||||||||||||||
That the people wyll not see but delyte to be blynde. | |||||||||||||||
Wherefore they are not worthy good preachars to haue, | |||||||||||||||
Nor yet to be prouided for but styll in vayne to craue. | |||||||||||||||
15 | Than sayde I (O Lorde God) make this tyme shorte, Math .24 | ||||||||||||||
For theyr sake onlye Lorde that be thy chosen sorte. | |||||||||||||||
Of Alehouses. |
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NEdes must we haue places for vitayls to be solde, | |||||||||||||||
For such as be sycke pore, feble and olde. | |||||||||||||||
But Lorde to howe greate abuse they be growne, | |||||||||||||||
20 | In eche lyttle Hamlet, vyllage and towne. | ||||||||||||||
They are become places of waste and excesse, | |||||||||||||||
An herbour for such men as lyue in Idlenes. | |||||||||||||||
sig: [A6] | |||||||||||||||
And lyghtly in the contrey they be placed so, | |||||||||||||||
That they stande in mens waye when they shoulde to church go. | |||||||||||||||
25 | And then such as loue not to hear theyr fautes tolde, | ||||||||||||||
By the minister that readeth the newe Testament and olde: | |||||||||||||||
Do turne into the alehouse and let the church go, | |||||||||||||||
Yea, and men accompted wyse and honeste do so. | |||||||||||||||
But London (God be praysed) all men maye commende A commendation of London. | |||||||||||||||
30 | Whych doeth nowe this greate enormitie emende. | ||||||||||||||
For in seruice-tyme no dore standeth vp, | |||||||||||||||
Where such men are wonte to fyll can and cuppe. | |||||||||||||||
Wolde God in the countrey they woulde do the same, | |||||||||||||||
Either for Gods feare or for world[e]ly shame. | |||||||||||||||
sig: [A6v] | |||||||||||||||
35 | How hallow they the Saboth that do the tyme 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, | |||||||||||||||
But he doeth make holye the Sabothe in-dede, [Luke] Luke] Mat 1550, B .xiii Luke] Mat 1550, B | |||||||||||||||
40 | That heareth Goddes worde and helpeth suche as nede, | ||||||||||||||
Of Allayes. |
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TWo sortes of Allayes in London I finde, | |||||||||||||||
The one agaynste the lawe and the other agaynste kinde, | |||||||||||||||
The firste is where bowlinge forbidden, menne vse, | |||||||||||||||
And wastynge theyr goodes do their laboure refuse. | |||||||||||||||
45 | But in London (alas) some men are deuillishelye. A dispraise of London. | ||||||||||||||
sig: [A7] | |||||||||||||||
Suffered to professe it as an acte 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 sire for of god they are not, | |||||||||||||||
50 | Who commaundeth to laboure syxe dayes ye wotte. Exo .xxiii. | ||||||||||||||
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, Allayes agaynste kynde. | |||||||||||||||
Do make my harte wepe whan they come to my minde | |||||||||||||||
55 | For there are pore people welmoste innumerable, | ||||||||||||||
That are dryuen to begge and yet to worcke they are able, | |||||||||||||||
If they might haue al thinges prouided aright, | |||||||||||||||
sig: [A7v] | |||||||||||||||
Alas, is not thys a greate ouer_syght? | |||||||||||||||
Ye Aldermen and other that take Allaye-rente | |||||||||||||||
60 | 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 leas[u]re, | |||||||||||||||
65 | 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, | |||||||||||||||
sig: [A8] | |||||||||||||||
70 | It is a packe of people that seke after meede, Loke the definition of a Citie, you that be lerned | ||||||||||||||
For Officers and al do seke their owne gaine, | |||||||||||||||
But for the wealth of the commons not one taketh paine | |||||||||||||||
An hell with-out order I maye it well call | |||||||||||||||
Where euerye man is for him-selfe and no manne for all, | |||||||||||||||
Of almes-houses, |
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75 | A Marchaunte that longe-tyme hadde bene in straunge landis | ||||||||||||||
Returned to his contrey whiche in Europe standes, | |||||||||||||||
And in his returne hys waye laye to passe, | |||||||||||||||
By a Spittlehouse not farre from where his dwelling was, | |||||||||||||||
He loked for this hospitall but none coulde he se, | |||||||||||||||
80 | For a Lordely house was builte where the hospitall shoulde be, | ||||||||||||||
sig: [A8v] | |||||||||||||||
Good Lorde (sayd this marchaunt) is my contrey so wealthy? | |||||||||||||||
That the verye beggers houses be builte so gorgiouslye? | |||||||||||||||
Than by the waye-syde hym chaunced to se | |||||||||||||||
A pore-manne that craued of hym for charitie, | |||||||||||||||
85 | Whye (quod thys Marchaunt) what meaneth thys thynge? | ||||||||||||||
Do ye begge by the waye and haue a house for a kyng? | |||||||||||||||
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, | |||||||||||||||
90 | And whan we craue of them they turne awaye their face, | ||||||||||||||
Lorde god (quod this marchaunt) in Turkye haue I bene, | |||||||||||||||
yet emonge those Heathen, none such crueltie haue I sene | |||||||||||||||
sig: B1 | |||||||||||||||
The vengeaunce of god muste fall no remedye, | |||||||||||||||
Upon these wicked men and that verye shortelye, | |||||||||||||||
Of Baylife Arrantes. |
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95 | A Baylife there was. in the weste-contrey, | ||||||||||||||
That dyd as they do in all quarters men saye, | |||||||||||||||
He serued with one wryte an whole score or tweyne, | |||||||||||||||
And toke in hand to excuse them hauinge pence for his payne, | |||||||||||||||
And when he should warne a quest in sessions to appeare, | |||||||||||||||
100 | He woulde surely warne them that woulde make hym no cheare, | ||||||||||||||
And then take a bribe to make answere for them, | |||||||||||||||
But when he mette his frendes than woulde he saye but hem | |||||||||||||||
But such as had no cheare nor money to paye | |||||||||||||||
sig: [B1v] | |||||||||||||||
Were sure to trudge to the sessions alwaye, | |||||||||||||||
105 | Ye must geue him some thynge. to sowe his hadlande The baylefes 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, | |||||||||||||||
110 | 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. |
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THe bawdes of the stues be turned all out | |||||||||||||||
But some think they inhabit al England through-out | |||||||||||||||
sig: B2 | |||||||||||||||
115 | 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, | |||||||||||||||
120 | Into that Lordis handis that is eternall Hebr .x. | ||||||||||||||
Of Beggers. |
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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 know[n]e at the length | |||||||||||||||
125 | Ought to be constrayned to worcke what they can, | ||||||||||||||
sig: [B2v] | |||||||||||||||
And lyue on theyr laboures as besemeth a christyan, | |||||||||||||||
And if they refuse to worcke for theyr meate, | |||||||||||||||
Then ought they to faste as not worthy to eate i[i]. T[hess] ii. Thess] i. Tim 1550, B .3.ii. Thess] i. Tim 1550, B | |||||||||||||||
And such as be sore and wyll not be healed, | |||||||||||||||
130 | Oughte not in any case to be charished, | ||||||||||||||
I heard of two beggars that vnder an hedge sate Of twoe be[gga]rsbeggars] bey[g]grs 1550.beggars] bey[g]grs 1550 | |||||||||||||||
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 | |||||||||||||||
135 | 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 | |||||||||||||||
sig: B3 | |||||||||||||||
I woulde not haue it healed for any worldis good, | |||||||||||||||
For were it once whole my lyuinge were gone, | |||||||||||||||
140 | 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, | |||||||||||||||
145 | Well (sayde the tother) lette vs take hede therefore, | ||||||||||||||
That we let them not heale but kepe them styll sore. | |||||||||||||||
An-other thynge I hearde of a begger that was lame, | |||||||||||||||
Muche like one of these if it were not the same, | |||||||||||||||
Who syttinge by the fire wyth the cuppe in his hande, | |||||||||||||||
sig: [B3v] | |||||||||||||||
150 | Began to wonder whan he shoulde be a good husbande. | ||||||||||||||
I shall neuer thriue (quod this begar) 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 thys quarte pot. full to the brynke, | |||||||||||||||
155 | The tonge muste haue bastynge 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 Bear-baytynge. |
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WHat follye is thys? to kepe wyth daunger, | |||||||||||||||
160 | A greate mastyfe dogge and a foule ouglye Beare | ||||||||||||||
sig: B4 | |||||||||||||||
And to thys 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, | |||||||||||||||
165 | And yet euerye sondaye they wyll surelye spende, | ||||||||||||||
One penye or two the bearwardes lyuyng to mende, | |||||||||||||||
At Paryse_garden eche sundaye a man shall not fayle, Parise_garden | |||||||||||||||
To fynde two or thre hundredes for the bearwardes vaile, | |||||||||||||||
One halpenye a_piece they vse for to giue | |||||||||||||||
170 | 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, | |||||||||||||||
sig: [B4v] | |||||||||||||||
For god hath commaunded that what we maye spare, Eccles .4. | |||||||||||||||
Be geuen to the pore that be full of care, | |||||||||||||||
175 | If you giue it therefore to se a Beare fyght, | ||||||||||||||
Be ye sure goddes curse wyl vpon you lyght, | |||||||||||||||
Of Brawlers |
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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 | |||||||||||||||
180 | Eche mastyfe and hounde that he may 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 sig:
[B5]
to profite or gayne,
|
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185 | 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: | |||||||||||||||
190 | But if he scape Tiburne I thinke he wyll hange in hell. | ||||||||||||||
Of Blasphemous swerers |
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THe sonne of Syrach wryteth playnelye, Eccl[e]s Eccles] Eccls 1550 .iii. Eccles] Eccls 1550 | |||||||||||||||
Of suche menne as do sweare blasphemouselye, | |||||||||||||||
The manne that sweareth muche shall be fylled, sayeth he, | |||||||||||||||
Wyth all wicked manners and iniquitie, | |||||||||||||||
195 | In the house of that manne sig:
[B5v]
the plage shall not cease,
|
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He shal be styll plaged either more or les. | |||||||||||||||
Christe byddeth all his affirme and denie, | |||||||||||||||
Wyth yea, yea, nay, nay, affirmyng no lye. | |||||||||||||||
Whatsoeuer ye ad more (saith he) cometh of iuell, | |||||||||||||||
200 | And is of the wycked suggestion of the Deuyll, | ||||||||||||||
But we can not talke wythouten othes plentye, | |||||||||||||||
Some sweare by Gods nayles hys herte and his bodye, | |||||||||||||||
And some sweare [by] his fleshe his bloude and hys fote, by] 1550, B omit | |||||||||||||||
And some by hys guttes, hys lyfe and herte-rote. | |||||||||||||||
205 | Some other woulde seme all sweryng to refrayne, | ||||||||||||||
And they inuent idle othes, such is theyr idle brayne. | |||||||||||||||
By Cocke and by Pye, sig:
[B6]
and by the goose-wyng,
|
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By the crosse of the mouse-fote and by saynte Chyckyn. | |||||||||||||||
And some sweare by the Diuell such is theyr blyndenes, Math .v. | |||||||||||||||
210 | Not knowyng that they call 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. |
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IT is sayde that in Croydon there dyd sometyme dwell, | |||||||||||||||
A Colier that dyd all other Coliers excell | |||||||||||||||
215 | For his riches thys Colier myght haue bene a knight | ||||||||||||||
But in the order of knighthode he hadde no delyght | |||||||||||||||
Woulde god all our knightes dyd minde colinge no more, | |||||||||||||||
Than this Colier dyd knyghtyng. sig:
[B6v]
as is sayde before. |
|||||||||||||||
For when none but pore Colyars dyd wyth coles mell, | |||||||||||||||
220 | At a reasonable price they dyd theyr Coles sell. | ||||||||||||||
But sence oure Knyght-Colyars haue had the fyrste sale, | |||||||||||||||
We haue payed much 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. | |||||||||||||||
225 | God graunt these men grace theyr pollyng to refrayne, | ||||||||||||||
Or els bryng them backe to theyr olde state agayne. | |||||||||||||||
And especially the Colyar that at Croydon doth sell, | |||||||||||||||
For men thyncke he is cosen to the Colyar of Hell. | |||||||||||||||
Of Commotionars. |
|||||||||||||||
sig: [B7] | |||||||||||||||
WHen the bodye is vexed through humors corrupted | |||||||||||||||
230 | To restore it to helth those humours muste be purged | ||||||||||||||
For if they remayne they wyll styll encrease: | |||||||||||||||
Euery daye more and more and augment the disease. | |||||||||||||||
So that in short tyme the body muste decaye, | |||||||||||||||
Excepte God geue health by some other waye. | |||||||||||||||
235 | Euen so doth it fare by the weale publyke, | ||||||||||||||
Whych chaunceth to be often diseased and sycke, | |||||||||||||||
Through the mischeuouse malice of such men as be, | |||||||||||||||
Desyrouse to breake the publyke Unitie. | |||||||||||||||
Eche publyke bodye muste be purged therfore, | |||||||||||||||
240 | Of these rotten humours as is sayed before. | ||||||||||||||
sig: [B7v] | |||||||||||||||
Els wyll it decay, as do the bodyes naturall, | |||||||||||||||
When rotten humours haue infected them ouer-all. | |||||||||||||||
But if the publyke bodye can not be purged well, | |||||||||||||||
By force of purgation as Phisickes rules do tell: | |||||||||||||||
245 | When bodyes be weake and so lowe brought, | ||||||||||||||
That by purgation no health can be wroght: | |||||||||||||||
Then must there be sought some easyar waye, | |||||||||||||||
To kyl the strength of those humors. thus doth Phisicke saye. | |||||||||||||||
When the Swerde wyl not helpe in the common-wealth, | |||||||||||||||
250 | To purge it of Commotionars and bryng it to health: | ||||||||||||||
Then must discrete counsell fynde wayes to kyll, | |||||||||||||||
The powr[e] of those rebelles and let them of theyr wyll. powre] powr 1550 | |||||||||||||||
sig: [B8] | |||||||||||||||
And that must be by cherishyng the humours naturall, | |||||||||||||||
And by quickenyng agayne of the spirites vitall, | |||||||||||||||
255 | Whych in the commune-wealth are the subiectes trew. | ||||||||||||||
That do alwaye study sedition to eschew | |||||||||||||||
When these men, through cherishing do growe and be strong: | |||||||||||||||
Then can no Commotionars continew long. | |||||||||||||||
For as when the strength of ill humours is kylled, | |||||||||||||||
260 | In a naturall bodye, they be sone consumed, | ||||||||||||||
Or made of iuell good, as it is playne to se: | |||||||||||||||
So wyll it bytyde of such men as be, | |||||||||||||||
In the Commune-wealth geuen vnto Sedition, | |||||||||||||||
When they se they can not finyshe theyr Intention. | |||||||||||||||
sig: [B8v] | |||||||||||||||
265 | And what is their power but the people ignoraunte | ||||||||||||||
Whom thei do abuse by their counselles malignaunt? | |||||||||||||||
When the hertes of the people be wonne to their prince, | |||||||||||||||
Than can no commotioners do hurte in hys prouince, | |||||||||||||||
If this wyll not help than God wyll take cure, | |||||||||||||||
270 | And destroy these Commosioners we may 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 our synne haue not broughte vs so lowe | |||||||||||||||
That we be paste cure god onelye doeth thys knowe, | |||||||||||||||
275 | And I truste to se healthe agayne if the finall ende, | ||||||||||||||
Be not nowe nere at hande whyche the Lorde shortelye sende | |||||||||||||||
sig: C1 | |||||||||||||||
Of commen drunkardes |
|||||||||||||||
ESaye lamenteth and sayeth oute alas Esaye .v. | |||||||||||||||
Muche wo shall betide you that do youre tyme passe, | |||||||||||||||
In eatinge and drinckynge from morninge to nighte, | |||||||||||||||
280 | Til none of your membres canne do his office righte. | ||||||||||||||
Woe be to you, sayeth he, that do so earlye rise, | |||||||||||||||
To fyll your-selues wyth drincke. in suche beastelye wise | |||||||||||||||
But if he were nowe liuyng and sawe this worldes state | |||||||||||||||
He wold saye this of our drunkards that sytte vp so late, | |||||||||||||||
285 | For fewe of oure drunckardes do vse to rise earelye, | ||||||||||||||
But muche of the nighte they wyll drincke lustelye, | |||||||||||||||
Well, sainte Paule doeth warne all that be of pure mynde i. Cor .[v]. v] i 1550, B v] i 1550, B | |||||||||||||||
To auoide drunckardes company sig:
[C1v]
where-so-euer they do them finde.
|
|||||||||||||||
Se ye neyther eate nor drincke wyth suche menne sayeth he | |||||||||||||||
290 | That be geuen to drinkinge what-so-euer they be | ||||||||||||||
But alas manye curates that shoulde vs thys tell | |||||||||||||||
Do all their parishioners in drynckyng excell, | |||||||||||||||
Of commune Liars |
|||||||||||||||
SOlomon the sage in Sapience doeth saye Sapi .i. | |||||||||||||||
That the mouthe that lyeth doeth the verye soule sleye | |||||||||||||||
295 | If the murderer of bodies [b]e worthye to dye be] de 1550 | ||||||||||||||
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, | |||||||||||||||
sig: C2 | |||||||||||||||
300 | 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 this delite will be sorowe I feare me at the laste | |||||||||||||||
Whan the liar for hys liynge into paynes shall be caste | |||||||||||||||
Of Dicears. |
|||||||||||||||
305 | EMonge wyttye saiynges this precept I finde | ||||||||||||||
To auoid and fle dice (mi son) haue euer in mynde Cato. | |||||||||||||||
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 wyll not denye | |||||||||||||||
310 | And brought to more worship than they be worthye | ||||||||||||||
sig: [C2v] | |||||||||||||||
God knoweth to what ende he suffereth thys thing | |||||||||||||||
Perchaunce to rewarde them wyth hel at their endynge. | |||||||||||||||
For doubtlesse those goodes are gotten amisse | |||||||||||||||
That are gotten from him that prodigall is, | |||||||||||||||
315 | And especially at the dyce where boeth do intende | ||||||||||||||
To get others goods, or else hys 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 | |||||||||||||||
320 | Prodigalytie and couetise do in them all raygne | ||||||||||||||
Besyde the wycked othes and the tyme myspent | |||||||||||||||
Wherof they thincke they nede not them-selues to repent, | |||||||||||||||
sig: C3 | |||||||||||||||
But thys I dare saye, that though dyceyng were no sin, | |||||||||||||||
Nor the goodis mysgoten that men do ther-at wynne | |||||||||||||||
325 | 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 | |||||||||||||||
330 | And make you to stoupe, be ye neuer so stoute. | ||||||||||||||
Of double-benificed men. |
|||||||||||||||
THe kyng of that realme, where iustice doeth reygne | |||||||||||||||
Perused olde statutis that in bokis remayne. | |||||||||||||||
And as he turned the boke him chaunced to se | |||||||||||||||
sig: [C3v] | |||||||||||||||
That such as haue benifices shoulde resident be. | |||||||||||||||
335 | And haue theyr abydyng whyles theyr lyfe shoulde endure | ||||||||||||||
Emong them ouer whome God hath geuen them cure. | |||||||||||||||
Then sayed he to him-selfe, [I] thyncke well there is: I] A 1550, I B | |||||||||||||||
No Lawe in thys realme worse obserued then this. | |||||||||||||||
Yet can there nothynge, my stocke more decaye, | |||||||||||||||
340 | Then when hyrelynges suffer my shepe go astraye. | ||||||||||||||
Then called he his councell and tolde them his mynde, | |||||||||||||||
And wylled that they shoulde some remedy fynde. | |||||||||||||||
Whoe wyth good aduice agreed on this thyng, | |||||||||||||||
That Uisitours should be sent wyth the powre of the Kyng, | |||||||||||||||
345 | To punyshe all such as herein dyd offende, | ||||||||||||||
sig: C4 | |||||||||||||||
Unlesse they were founde thorowe wyllynge to amende | |||||||||||||||
These visitours found many stout priestes but chieflye one, | |||||||||||||||
That hadde sondrye benifices but woulde surrender none Osee .iiii. | |||||||||||||||
Than was this stoute felowe brought to the kynge | |||||||||||||||
350 | Who sayde vnto hym syr howe chaunceth this thing? | ||||||||||||||
Wyl ye transegresse my lawes and than disobeye disobeye] disobeye? 1550 | |||||||||||||||
Menne hauing my power? syr what can you saye? | |||||||||||||||
If it mai like your grace (quod he) loe heare is to se | |||||||||||||||
your seale at a graunte. of a pluralitie | |||||||||||||||
355 | Well saide the kinge than I repente me of all yll: | ||||||||||||||
But tell me maister doctoure wil you haue your benifices styll? | |||||||||||||||
If your grace do me ryghte (quod he) I must haue them my life-tyme | |||||||||||||||
sig: [C4v] | |||||||||||||||
So shalt thou (quod the kynge) for to_morow by pryme | |||||||||||||||
God wyllynge, thy body, shalbe diuided and sent | |||||||||||||||
360 | To ech benifice a piece to make the resident. | ||||||||||||||
Away wyth hym (quod the kyng) and let al thyngis be done | |||||||||||||||
As I haue geuen sentence to_morow ere none | |||||||||||||||
For syth thou arte a sto[u]t priest an example thou shalt be | |||||||||||||||
That all stouburne priestes may take warnyng by the. | |||||||||||||||
Of the Exchecker. |
|||||||||||||||
365 | IN the weste parte of Europe there was sometyme a kynge, | ||||||||||||||
That had a court for receyte: of money to him belongeing. | |||||||||||||||
But the ministers of that Court dyd longe and many a daye | |||||||||||||||
Take brybes to bare with suche men as should forfaytis pay. | |||||||||||||||
sig: [C5] | |||||||||||||||
At the laste to the Kyng, this theyr falshode was tolde, | |||||||||||||||
370 | By suche as about hym, were faythfull and bolde. | ||||||||||||||
Then dyd the Kyng sende for these ministers ill, | |||||||||||||||
And layde all theyr faltes before them in a byll. | |||||||||||||||
Then were they abashed and had nought to saye, | |||||||||||||||
But cryed for hys perdon, but he bade awaye. | |||||||||||||||
375 | Ye haue borne wyth theues and haue robbed me, | ||||||||||||||
And suffered my people impoueryshed to be. | |||||||||||||||
No statute coulde cause th'offendars to emende, | |||||||||||||||
Because you bare wyth them, when they dyd offende. | |||||||||||||||
Awaye wyth them all. laye them in prisone. | |||||||||||||||
380 | Tyll we haue determined, what shall wyth them be done. | ||||||||||||||
sig: C5v] | |||||||||||||||
What iudgment they had I haue not hearde yet | |||||||||||||||
But well I wot they deserued a tiburne typpet | |||||||||||||||
Of Flaterars |
|||||||||||||||
A Flatterynge frende is worse then a foe | |||||||||||||||
For a frende is betrusted when the other is not so. | |||||||||||||||
385 | Of an open enimie a man may be ware ii. Re .iii. | ||||||||||||||
when the flatteryng frend wyl worcke men much care | |||||||||||||||
For if Abner had knowne, what was in Ioabs harte | |||||||||||||||
I do not doubt but he would haue out of his waye sterte | |||||||||||||||
Or at the leaste he would not haue admitted hym so ny | |||||||||||||||
390 | As to be embraced of hym and on his dagger to dye | ||||||||||||||
Wherefore I aduertise al men to be ware | |||||||||||||||
sig: [C6] | |||||||||||||||
Of all flatterynge frendis that bring men to care | |||||||||||||||
As for open ennimies trust them if ye wyll | |||||||||||||||
I can not forbyd you to admyt your owne yll. | |||||||||||||||
395 | 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 decaye | |||||||||||||||
400 | 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 | |||||||||||||||
sig: [C6v] | |||||||||||||||
Robin redbrest wil come home to ye and be very bolde. | |||||||||||||||
405 | But when Summer returneth and bushes wax grene: | ||||||||||||||
then Robyn your man wyll no more be sene. | |||||||||||||||
So some of your flattera[r]s wyll in prosperitie, flatterars] flatteras 1550 | |||||||||||||||
be of your householde and of your family. | |||||||||||||||
And some other wyl when nede doth them payne, | |||||||||||||||
410 | Sue to do your seruice tyll they be welthy agayne. | ||||||||||||||
Of Foles. |
|||||||||||||||
THe preachar sayeth thus, a pore wytty ladde, Eccle .iiii | |||||||||||||||
is better then on olde Kynge whose wytte is but badde. | |||||||||||||||
The wyse-man in pouertie is ryght honourable, | |||||||||||||||
Whan the fole in his ryches is worthy a Bable. | |||||||||||||||
sig: [C7] | |||||||||||||||
415 | Some foles there be of nature that vnderstande nought, | ||||||||||||||
Some other vnderstand thynges, but haue euer in theyr thought, | |||||||||||||||
That they them-selues be wysest, whych folly passeth all, | |||||||||||||||
And doeth soneste appeare, as well in greate as small. | |||||||||||||||
These foles wyll not heare any mans reade or counsell, | |||||||||||||||
420 | And what-soeuer they them-selfe do, is excedyng well. | ||||||||||||||
But other mens doynges they wyll euer dyprease, dyprease: see OED depress vb. 4; B has dispraise | |||||||||||||||
For other can do nought that may theyr mynde please. | |||||||||||||||
And further, they thyncke it becometh them well, | |||||||||||||||
in euery mans matter, them-selfe to entermel. | |||||||||||||||
425 | And when they come in place where is any talke, | ||||||||||||||
No man shal fynde a tyme to speake so faste theyr tonges shal walke. | |||||||||||||||
sig: [C7v] | |||||||||||||||
Of theyr owne dedis and goodes, they wyll bragge and boaste. | |||||||||||||||
And declare all theyr mishaps, and what they haue loste. | |||||||||||||||
If ye tell them of theyr fautes, then wyll they nedes fyght, | |||||||||||||||
430 | Ye must saye as they saye, be it wronge or ryght. wronge] wrounge 1550, wronge B | ||||||||||||||
In fine, ye must prayse them and sette forth theyr fame, | |||||||||||||||
And what-soeuer they do, you may them not blame. | |||||||||||||||
If ye tell them of knowledge, they saye they lacke none, | |||||||||||||||
And wysshe they had lesse, and then they make mone, | |||||||||||||||
435 | For the losse of vayne toyes, wherin 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 most vngodly. | |||||||||||||||
sig: [C8] | |||||||||||||||
Of Forestallars. |
|||||||||||||||
THe fryses of Walis to Brystowe are brought, | |||||||||||||||
440 | But before thei were wouen in Walis they are bought | ||||||||||||||
So that nowe we do paye foure grotes or els more, | |||||||||||||||
For the fry[s]e we haue bought. for eyght pens heretofore. fryse] fryfe 1550, fryse B | |||||||||||||||
And some saye the woule is bought ere it do growe. | |||||||||||||||
And the corne long before it come in the mowe. | |||||||||||||||
445 | And one thyng there is that hurteth moste of all, | ||||||||||||||
Reuersions of fermes are bought, long ere they fall. | |||||||||||||||
And ryght so are benifices in euery coaste, | |||||||||||||||
So that persons and vicars kepe neyther sodde nor roste. | |||||||||||||||
The pore of the paryshe whome the person should fede: | |||||||||||||||
450 | Can haue nought of oure tythis, sig:
[C8v]
to sucuoure theyr nede. |
||||||||||||||
Reuersions of fermes are bought on ech syde, | |||||||||||||||
And the olde tenant must pay well if he wyll abyde. | |||||||||||||||
And where the father payde a peny and a Capon or twayne, | |||||||||||||||
The sonne muste paye ten pownde [t]his passeth my brayne. this] his 1550, thys B | |||||||||||||||
455 | Well, let thes forestallars repent them bytyme, | ||||||||||||||
Leste the clarke of the market be wyth them ere pryme. | |||||||||||||||
For he when he cometh wyll punysh them all, | |||||||||||||||
That do any nedeful thynge ingrose or forestall. | |||||||||||||||
For well I wotte thys, when he went laste awaye: | |||||||||||||||
460 | He sent vs his seruaunt, and thus dyd he saye. | ||||||||||||||
Se that emong you none seke his owne gayne, i. Cor .x. | |||||||||||||||
But profyte ech other sig:
D1
wyth trauayle and payne.
|
|||||||||||||||
Of Godlesse men |
|||||||||||||||
HOlye Dauid that was boeth prophet[e] and kinge prophete] propheth 1550, prophete B | |||||||||||||||
Sawe in hys tyme (as appeareth by hys wrytynge) Psalm .x. | |||||||||||||||
465 | That in those dayes there were men of wycked hert | ||||||||||||||
That dyd all godlye wayes vtterlye peruerte, | |||||||||||||||
And so there are nowe the pitye is the more, | |||||||||||||||
That lyue more carnalye than euer men dyd before, men] men men 1550 | |||||||||||||||
These men (sayeth kinge Dauid) in their hertes do saye | |||||||||||||||
470 | Surelye there is no God let vs take our owne waye, | ||||||||||||||
Thus i[u]dged kyng Dauid and that for good skyll | |||||||||||||||
Bicause he sawe their worckes were wycked and euyll, | |||||||||||||||
They are (sayeth he) corrupt sig:
[D1v]
and nought in all theyr wayes
|
|||||||||||||||
Not one doeth good and therfore he sayes | |||||||||||||||
475 | That they thincke ther 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 wyl do Ill and iustifie theyr yl weyes? | |||||||||||||||
They leaue the good vndone and do that yll is | |||||||||||||||
480 | 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 | |||||||||||||||
Woe sayth this prophete to them that do call Esai .v. | |||||||||||||||
That thyng good that euell is but this is not all | |||||||||||||||
485 | He sayeth woe to them sig:
D2
that call dearckenes lyght
|
||||||||||||||
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 therof none | |||||||||||||||
Except they may easily perceyue and se | |||||||||||||||
490 | 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 wyl make merie here for when they be gone | |||||||||||||||
They can haue no ioye For soule they haue none | |||||||||||||||
495 | If these menne be not godles muche meruell haue I | ||||||||||||||
Well the cause is the Lordes lette hym and them trye | |||||||||||||||
I knowe at the laste sig:
[D2v]
they shall fynde him to strong.
|
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The daye of his vengeaunce wyll not tarye longe, | |||||||||||||||
Of Idle persons |
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IDlenes hath ben cause of much wyckednes, Eccles .33. | |||||||||||||||
500 | As Ecclesasticus 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 | |||||||||||||||
505 | Yet let vs come neare euen to the tyme present | ||||||||||||||
And se what myschyfe Idle persons do inuent | |||||||||||||||
What conspiracies haue ben wroght wythin this lyttle whyle, | |||||||||||||||
By Idle men that dyd sig:
D3
the commons begyle,
|
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And what haue Idle men alwaye practised | |||||||||||||||
510 | To breake the peace of prynces that they myght be hyered | ||||||||||||||
I wyll not saye what the Idlenes of priestes hath done, | |||||||||||||||
Nor yet the Idlenes of seruauntis in London, | |||||||||||||||
Let euerie man search his owne houshold well | |||||||||||||||
And whether the thynge be true that I tell, | |||||||||||||||
515 | Yea what abuse dyd 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 masters and fathers therfore that feare God omnipotent | |||||||||||||||
520 | Kepe youre families sig:
[D3v]
leaste ye be shente
|
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For if thorowe their idlenes they fall into outrage | |||||||||||||||
Your iudgemente shall be strayght for they are committed to your charg[e] charge] charg 1550 | |||||||||||||||
Kepe them therfore styll occupied, in doynge youre busines | |||||||||||||||
Or els in readynge or hearynge some bokes of Godlines | |||||||||||||||
525 | 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 commodities woule tynne and leade | |||||||||||||||
Whiche being wrought within the realme eche man might get his bread | |||||||||||||||
¶Of inuenters of straunge newes |
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SOme men do delite straunge newes to inuente | |||||||||||||||
530 | Of this mannes doynge and that mannes intente | ||||||||||||||
What is done in Fraunce
sig:
D4
and in the Emperours lande,
|
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And what thyng the Scottes do nowe take in hande. | |||||||||||||||
What the Kynge and his counsell, do intende to do. | |||||||||||||||
Though for the most parte it be nothynge so. | |||||||||||||||
535 | Such men cause the people that els woulde be styll, | ||||||||||||||
To murmour and grudge, whych thyng is very ill, | |||||||||||||||
Yea, sometyme they cause the people to ryse, We sawe the expe[r]ienceexperience] expepience 1550 of thys of late.experience] expepience 1550 | |||||||||||||||
And assemble them-selfe, in most wycked wyse. | |||||||||||||||
In Plato hys common-wealth, such men shoulde not dwell, | |||||||||||||||
540 | For Poetes and Oratoures he dyd expell. | ||||||||||||||
Oh that these newes-bryngars had for theyr rewarde, | |||||||||||||||
Newe halters of hemppe to sette them forwarde. | |||||||||||||||
sig: [D4v] | |||||||||||||||
¶Of Laye-men that take Tithes and priests that vse theyr tit[h]es tithes] tites 1550 priuatly.
|
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WHan Iustice began in Iudgment to syt, | |||||||||||||||
To punysh all such men as dyd fautes commit: | |||||||||||||||
545 | Then was there a man before hyr accused, | ||||||||||||||
For tythes that he toke and priuately used. | |||||||||||||||
When dewe proufe was had and the thyng manifeste | |||||||||||||||
The wyttnesses sworne and the treaspace confeste: | |||||||||||||||
Then gaue the Iudge Iudgement and these wordes he spake, | |||||||||||||||
550 | Se that from this Caytyfe Ye do all his goodes take, | ||||||||||||||
For seynge he made that priuate That commune shoulde be: | |||||||||||||||
He shall haue this Iustice Wythe Iudgment of me. | |||||||||||||||
Those pore-men that by the tithes sig:
[D5]
shoulde be releued,
|
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Shal haue all his goodes emonge them diuided. | |||||||||||||||
555 | And because he shewed no mercie, no mercie shall he haue: Iacob .ii. | ||||||||||||||
The sentence is geuen. go hange vp the slaue. | |||||||||||||||
Of leasemongars. |
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OF late a Leasemongar of London laye sycke, | |||||||||||||||
And thynckyng to dye, his conscience dyd him prycke. | |||||||||||||||
Wherefore he sayde thus wyth hym-selfe secretly, | |||||||||||||||
560 | I wyll sende for a preachar to knowe what remedy. | ||||||||||||||
But whilse he thus laye he fell in a sloumber, | |||||||||||||||
and sawe in his dreame pore folke a greate number. | |||||||||||||||
Whoe sayde they had learned thys at the preachars hande, | |||||||||||||||
To paye all wyth patience that theyr Landlordes demaunde | |||||||||||||||
sig: [D5v] | |||||||||||||||
565 | For they for theyr sufferaunce in such oppression, | ||||||||||||||
Are promised rewarde in the resurrection. | |||||||||||||||
Where such men as take Leases them-selues to aduaunce, | |||||||||||||||
Are sure to haue Hell by ryght inheritaunce. | |||||||||||||||
Of Marchauntes. |
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IF Marchauntes wold medle wyth marchaundice onely, | |||||||||||||||
570 | And leaue fermes to such men as muste lyue thereby: | ||||||||||||||
Then were they moste worthy to be had in price, | |||||||||||||||
As men that prouide vs of all kyndes Marchaundice. | |||||||||||||||
But syth they take fermes to let them out agayne, | |||||||||||||||
To such men as muste haue them though it be to theyr payn:, | |||||||||||||||
575 | And to leauye greate fines or to ouer the rent, | ||||||||||||||
sig: [D6] | |||||||||||||||
And do purchayse greate landes for the same intent: | |||||||||||||||
We muste nedes cal them membres vnprofitable, | |||||||||||||||
As men that woulde make all the Realme miserable. | |||||||||||||||
Howe they leaue theyr trade and lende oute theyr money, | |||||||||||||||
580 | To yonge Marchaunte-men for greate Usurie, | ||||||||||||||
Whereby some yonge men are dreuen to leaue all: Whereby] Whrereby 1550 | |||||||||||||||
And do into moste extreme pouertie fall: | |||||||||||||||
It greueth me to wryte, but what remedy? | |||||||||||||||
They muste heare theyr faute syth they be so greedye. | |||||||||||||||
585 | And thus I saye to them and trewe they shall it fynde, | ||||||||||||||
The Lorde wyll haue all theyr iuell doynges in mynde. | |||||||||||||||
And at the laste daye when they shall aryse: | |||||||||||||||
sig: [D6v] | |||||||||||||||
All shall be layed playne before theyr owne eyes | |||||||||||||||
Where iudgemente shall be geuen as saynte Iames doeth wytnes | |||||||||||||||
590 | Wythoute all mercye to suche as be merciles Iacob .ii. | ||||||||||||||
¶Of men that haue diuers offices |
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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 dyd venter some-whyle | |||||||||||||||
595 | But we reade not of anye that euer wente aboute, | ||||||||||||||
To haue two offices at once were they neuer so stoute. | |||||||||||||||
But alas in this Realme we counte hym not wyse | |||||||||||||||
That seketh not by all meanes that he canne deuise | |||||||||||||||
sig: [D7] | |||||||||||||||
To rake offices togither wythoute anye staye | |||||||||||||||
600 | But Christe shal saie to these menne at the laste daye Luke .xvi | ||||||||||||||
Geue accounts of your Baliwickes ye mene wythoute grace | |||||||||||||||
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. |
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605 | THe sonne of Sirache of women doeth saye. Eccles .26. | ||||||||||||||
That theire nicenes and hordom is perceiued alwaye. | |||||||||||||||
By there wanton lokes and lyftynge vp of eyes | |||||||||||||||
And their lokinge ascoye in most wanton wise | |||||||||||||||
And in the same Iesus_Syrach I finde Eccles .xi. | |||||||||||||||
610 | That the gate and the garment sig:
[D7v]
do declare the mynde.
|
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If these thynges be trew, (as no doubt they be) | |||||||||||||||
What shold we thynk of the women that in London we se? | |||||||||||||||
For more wanton lokes I dare boldely saye, | |||||||||||||||
Were neuer in Iewyshe whores, then in London wyues thys daye. | |||||||||||||||
615 | And if gate and garmentes do shewe any-thynge: | ||||||||||||||
Our wiues do passe their whoris, in whorelyke deckynge. | |||||||||||||||
I thynk the abominable whores of the Stews, | |||||||||||||||
Dyd neuer more whorelyke attyrementes vse. | |||||||||||||||
The cappe on hyr heade, is lyke a Sowes mawe, | |||||||||||||||
620 | Such an-other facion I thynk neuer Iewe sawe | ||||||||||||||
Then fyne geare on the foreheade, sette after the new trycke, | |||||||||||||||
Though it coste a crowne or two. sig:
[D8]
what then? they may not stycke.
|
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If theyr heyre wyl not take colour then must they by newe | |||||||||||||||
And laye it oute in tussockis this thynge is to true. | |||||||||||||||
625 | 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 most whorelyke dight | |||||||||||||||
Hyr mydle braced in as smal as a wande: | |||||||||||||||
630 | And some by wastes of wyre at the paste-wyfes hande | ||||||||||||||
A bumbe lyke a barrell wyth whoopes at the skyrte | |||||||||||||||
Hyr shoes of such stuffe that may touche no dyrte | |||||||||||||||
Upon hyr whyte fyngers manye rynges of golde | |||||||||||||||
Wyth suche maner stones sig:
[D8v]
as are most dearlye solde
|
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635 | 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 whippets wordes shall not come nye my hert. | |||||||||||||||
I haue tolde them but trueth let them saye what they wyll | |||||||||||||||
640 | I haue sayde they be whorelike and so I saye still, | ||||||||||||||
Of Obstinate Papistes |
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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 | |||||||||||||||
645 | A wilfull Beggar sig:
E1
this papist wyl be,
|
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A fole and a fryer and thus is one man thre. | |||||||||||||||
Would god all the papistis that he lefte behynde | |||||||||||||||
[Were] wyth him in frye[r]s cotis, accordyng to theyr kynde Were] Where 1550; fryers] fryes 1550 | |||||||||||||||
Or els I woulde they were wyth theyr father the pope, | |||||||||||||||
650 | For whylse they be in England thei do but lyue in hope. | ||||||||||||||
And excep[t] they myght get the Bible-boke burned, except] excep 1550 | |||||||||||||||
Into dispeyre theyr hope wyl shortly be turned. | |||||||||||||||
God graunte them the grace this hope to forsake | |||||||||||||||
And their naturall prynce for theyr heade to take | |||||||||||||||
655 | Forsakinge the Pope wyth al hys peltrye, | ||||||||||||||
Whiche of longe tyme they haue sette so much by. | |||||||||||||||
sig: [E1v] | |||||||||||||||
Of rente-raysers. |
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A Manne that had landes of tenne pounde by yere | |||||||||||||||
Surueyed the same and lette it out deare | |||||||||||||||
So that of tenne pounde he made well a score | |||||||||||||||
660 | Moe poundes by the yere than other dyd before | ||||||||||||||
But when he was tolde whan daunger it was | |||||||||||||||
To oppresse his tenauntes he sayed he did not passe. | |||||||||||||||
For thys thynge he sayde full certayne he wyste | |||||||||||||||
That wyth hys owne he myghte alwayes do as he lyste | |||||||||||||||
665 | But immediatlye I trowe thys oppressoure fyl sicke: | ||||||||||||||
Of a voyce that he harde geue accountes of thy Baliwick Luke .xvi | |||||||||||||||
Of Uayne wryters, vaine talkers and vaine hearers. |
|||||||||||||||
sig: E2 | |||||||||||||||
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 | |||||||||||||||
670 | Whyche certayne and true all maner menne shall fynde | ||||||||||||||
Of euerye idle worde ye shall geue a rekeninge Math .xii | |||||||||||||||
Be it spoken by mouthe or put in wrytynge | |||||||||||||||
O Lorde (thought I then) what case be th[e]y in they] thy 1550 | |||||||||||||||
That talke and write vaynely and thinke it no sinne? | |||||||||||||||
675 | Than slombred I a littel and thoughte that I sawe | ||||||||||||||
Thre sortes of vayne menne condempned by gods lawe | |||||||||||||||
The one was a wryter of thynges nought and vayne | |||||||||||||||
And an-other a talker and thys was theyr payne. | |||||||||||||||
sig: [E2v] | |||||||||||||||
The wryter hadde the crowne of hys heade opened | |||||||||||||||
680 | Whose braynes wyth a stycke the talker styrred | ||||||||||||||
And he wyth boeth handes drewe the talkers tonge | |||||||||||||||
so that wythout hys mouthe it was an handefull longe | |||||||||||||||
The thirde was an herkener of fables and lyes | |||||||||||||||
Whose eares were almost drawen vp to his eyes | |||||||||||||||
Of vnsaciable purchasers |
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685 | AN vnreasonable ryche-man 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 purchasid thys grounde Iacke, quod he | |||||||||||||||
Mary maister (quod the boye) men saye ouer-all | |||||||||||||||
690 | That your purchase is greate but your housholde is smal | ||||||||||||||
sig: E3 | |||||||||||||||
Why Iacke (quod this riche-man) what haue they to do? | |||||||||||||||
Woulde they haue me to purchase and kepe greate house to? | |||||||||||||||
I can not tell (quod the boye) what maketh them to brawle, Luk .xiiii. | |||||||||||||||
But they saye that ye purchase the Deuill his dame and all | |||||||||||||||
Of Usurars |
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695 | A Certaine man had 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 sayde if he woulde do, | |||||||||||||||
700 | 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 sig:
[E3v]
the feat if thou can
|
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You shall (sayde thys broker) lende but for a monethes-day | |||||||||||||||
And be sure of a suffitien[t]e gage alwaye, suffitientte] suffitience 1550, suffitiente B | |||||||||||||||
705 | Wyth a playne bill of sale if the day be not kept | ||||||||||||||
And se that ye do no causis 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 | |||||||||||||||
710 | For the vse of a shyllynge lo I haue tolde you all 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 [l]yke a Lorde sig:
[E4]
and make iolye chere.
lyke] syke 1550, lyke B
|
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715 | Than came there a Prophete and tolde thys manne playne | ||||||||||||||
That h[e]auen is no place for suche vnlawefull gayne heauen] hauen 1550, heauen B Psal .xv. | |||||||||||||||
Why sir (quod this Usurar) 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, | |||||||||||||||
720 | And after that rate ye shoulde measure your chere | ||||||||||||||
Tyll god did encrease you by his mercifull wayes | |||||||||||||||
By encreasynge your corne and youre cattell in the leyes | |||||||||||||||
Whyche encrese wyth your landes you are bounde to employe | |||||||||||||||
To the profite of all them that do dwell you bye, | |||||||||||||||
725 | Ye are not borne to your-selfe neither maye you take | ||||||||||||||
That thynge for youre owne sig:
[E4v]
where-of God did you make
|
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But Stuarde and Baylife that shall yelde a rekeninge | |||||||||||||||
At the daye of Iudgmente for euerye-thyng. | |||||||||||||||
And do ye not doubte but then ye shall knowe Luke .xvi. | |||||||||||||||
730 | Whether ye maye your goodes at youre pleasure bestowe | ||||||||||||||
And whether ye maye vse wayes wycked and yl, | |||||||||||||||
To incr[ea]se your riches at your owne will. increase] incraese 1550 | |||||||||||||||
But chieflye to lende youre goodes to vsurie | |||||||||||||||
Is a thinge that you shall moste dearelye abye | |||||||||||||||
735 | For Christe saieth in Luke that the Heathen do so | ||||||||||||||
Take hede lest ye flytte frome pleasure to woe Luke .vi. | |||||||||||||||
Finis. |
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¶Cum p[r]iuilegiopriuilegio] piuilegio 1550 ad imprimendum solum. |