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,Mat. 24. 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,A cōmendation of London. 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. Mat. xiiiBut 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. A diſpraiſe of London.But 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.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 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.Loke the diffinitiō of a citye you that be ſerued For officers and all do ſeke their owne gaine, But for the wealth of ye 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. The baylifes hadlandeYe 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 handisHebr. x. 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 i. Tim iiiThen 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 Of two beggersthat 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,Of an other begger. 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,Pariſe garden 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. Eccle. iiiiFor 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,Eccl. xxiii 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. Math. v.Chriſte 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 ye 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.Eſaye. v. 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,i. Cor. i. 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. Sapi. i. SOlomon 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,Cato. 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,Oſee. iiii 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 (ꝙ 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 wt 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 wt 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, ii. Re. iii.when 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 Eccle. iiiia 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. i. Cor. x.Se 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,Pſal. viii 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. Eſai. v.Woe, 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 Eccle 33of 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 wt in ye 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,We ſawe the experience of thys of late. 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,Iacob. ii. 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 Iacob. ii.as 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,Luke. xvi 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,Eccl. xxvi 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 garmentEccle. xi 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: Luke. xviOf 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.Mat. xii. 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?Luk. xiiii 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,Pſal. xv. 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, Luke. xvifor 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, Luke. vi.Take hede leſt ye flytte frome pleaſure to woe. Finis.