A doleful Discourse and ruthful Report of the great Spoil and lamentable loss, by fire, in the Town of East Dearham, in the County of NORFOLK: Upon Tuesday the .18. of julie, this present year .1581. HOSEA. 5. Verse. 14.15. ¶ I will be unto IPHRAYM as a LION, and as a lions whelp unto the house of JUDA: I, even I, will spoil and go away, I will take away and none shall rescue it: I will go and return to my place till they acknowledge their fault and seek me. 2. CRO. 36. Verse. 16. ¶ They mocked the Messengers of God, and despised his word: and misused his Prophets, until the wrath of the Lord aroase against his people, and till there was no remedy. AT LONDON. Printed by Richard Bradocke, for Richard Hollens: And are to be sold at his Shop overagainst the Sign of the Bell within Algate. 1581. ¶ TO MY DEAR FRIEND AND CHRIstian Brother, Richard Atlee, Inhabitant of the desolate Town of Eastdearham, and to his virtuous wife, Alice Atlee: ARTHUR GURNEY wisheth prosperity, and all good things, in CHRIST JESV. About a fortnight since, it was my hap to understand of a Ballet (as I take it) then newly come from the Press, containing a brief and doleful Discourse of the late burning of East DERHAM. And (as for mine own part) I both was and am a witness of the wonderful events thereof: and therewithal (what for my continual travel of body and mind, the ruins of my friends & allies and mine own small losses) a fellow feeler of the heavy burden imposed upon the towns estate: even so, with so much the more good will I entertained the news, expecting some better sequel, and rested not, till mine eyes were testimonies of the truth. But when I perused the same, and approved the penning as sufficient in that or such like cases, I was (nevertheless) well advised of sundry untruths, which the Author (no doubt) not so much upon pretenced depravation, as for want of necessary instruction had inserted. And albeit, no important thing hath therein escaped, which (for mine own part) I would not tolerate, of very good will in that respect: yet sith her Majesty, her honourable counsel, many noble, worshipful, & common personages, be otherwise informed of the matter: as also, the duty of a christian, requiring by all means to intercept the course of an untruth: and last of all, in diversities of wandering reports to establish some certainty, I have undertaken in the discourse of the matter, to set down such an assurance of his particular errors, and instead thereof, interposed such truth, as the diligent observation of mine own experience and the trial of many sound judgements can confirm and testify. ¶ One point (therefore) wherein he failed, is touching the number of tenements, Messages, or mansion houses subverted and spoiled. The .2. concerning the dissolution of our houses necessary for divers domestical uses. ¶ The .3. his insinuation of a total loss and detriment sustained. In these three (specially) hath he left the matter destitute of true report: for, as I have expressed in the sequel of my treatise: the number of tenements is. LII. which he calleth. LX. The houses of office, 350. or there abouts: which he reduceth into the number of .80. The value of all together .8000. li. or very little less, which he reporteth to be .14000. The two first (without all controversy) are mistaken, and published falsely: But as for the last, I must confess, that (at a blush) it seemeth to carry great appearance of truth: and I myself was therein greatly overseen & deceived, until with certain other (of good experience) I had made an estimate of every particular loss, and brought them to a general and gross sum. Nevertheless, if we may reckon the charge, which the town (if ever she be repaired) will exact, to make return of her former estate, I mean in number and quantity of houses, and (therewith) not pretermit her manifold losses, namely, of coin, corn, implements of Household stuff, victuales, wood, Timber, chattel, fruit, wells, pumps, hay, straw, time and trades, whereby ever since they have declined and gone backward, which with the rest are and aught to be brought into the rekning: It is certain true, that of, 14000 li a small remnant will remain, if any deal be left at all. But this is an other case: for an account is rather to be raised according to the rate of so much money as every man's house and stuff would yield in sale, if now it wear in STATV QVO PRIUS. For albeit the buildings were such as might have served many years and ages, if it had pleased the Lord to permit them to posterities: yet of a new house, in quantity of proportionable resemblance with an old, and of an old, is not one and the self same reason: because by how much it exceedeth in goodness, by so much ought it to be preferred in price and estimation. So then the whole loss which town hath sustained is 8000 li or there abouts, & the reedifying or restoration of the same in necessary manner with such other reckonings adhearent as I have already cast over, will amount to little less than 14000. and so it seemeth not vainly said. He that buyeth a house ready wrought, Getteth many a nail for nought. Thus much Sir, touching the cause that moved me to intermeddle & busy myself about the affairs of this process. Now whereas the Lord of his own especial grace from amongst the rest of that part of the town destroyed, hath gleaned out your house, as one ear out of a shock of corn, and preserved it alone amids the multitude of so monstruous flames, though I am in no case to exhort you whom I prefer before myself, or at the least do make no inferior, either in the due acceptation of such a benefit at his highness hand, or in recounting the causes why he hath been more merciful to you then the rest of all that town, and what purposes he seemeth to have pointed and aimed at therein: yet sith I daily hear men more ready to attribute occasion unto the means which the Lord used in that action of mercy, and to detract from him that honour and privilege that in all good things is due to him only: then to way and consider what it is to neglect the merit of his grace herein: I am to crave your pardon if this my Epistle shall seem any thing tedious and not fashioned with that DECORUM that best might become so short a discourse as is the treatis itself. You know I am sure that albeit the case of the town in that dismal day wherein it was afflicted, was no less miraculous in the eyes of good men, then fearful to the ●ad whose tongues at the same instant could implore the aid of God and attend upon his ordinance, yet hath it pleased some since that time to make so divers constructions thereof as doth agree and join with all untruth: and to take so slender taste of true knowledge as if their senses had either of late forsaken them, or as if they were new drunk and lulled a sleep in their oblivion, as in truth they seem in all goodness. These be the men that turn all things be they never so grave & weighty unto wantonness, that are always muzzling with beasts in the mire of worldly matters, & never vouchsafe to lend so much as half an eye to look upon the sunshine of Salvation, ne will be procured to put forth one poor nuger to take acquaintance of the power and providence of God: but readily proffer their hand & the service of all the instrumental parts of their body to welcome & entertain Mammon that monster their Master. But it is no matter, they show even the same modesty towards God when he showeth himself unto them, that in the common course of their life they have done towards those that are present with them, namely the professers of the Gospel, & in the end, shall find their fault I doubt not, & thoroughly understand it either unto perpetual pain, or repentance: In the mean season, sith in their darkness we perceive fair daylight & the glory of God in their just condennation, if that be the reward of their ingratitude let them accumelate their sins, seeing they will needs be filthy, till they have ascend, the throne of judgement, and we shall see and they feel the greatness of their own grievous fall. Let us I say, be sure, that God revealeth himself to no infidel, preordained to perdition, & therefore confirm ourselves so much the more in our hope, by how much the less they make reckoning of the truth & their own headiness & wretched condition. For in truth, nothing can commend the good estate of a Christian to his own soul & conscience with more undoubted arguments, than when he seethe himself continent in the wicked actions & demeanour of worldlings, & hath faith in all the changes & chances of this unconstant life to pull true obedience upon him for his protection: The rest roll every way & tumble up & down like restless waves of water, always relating the mercies and miracles of the Lord as accidents to profane beginnings. And as they are seldom possessed with the spirit of humility, even so they toss and turmoil themselves in affliction till they are windless, and then breath and to it again, with infinite cursings and quarreles till tract of time hath worn away the sorrow of their case, or made them feel the prick that posteth their danger, of sickness death, or desperation. These poor souls never learned of David, job and the rest, how to behave themselves under the Cross and hand of God, they account him a God no longer than he pynneth prosperity upon their sleeves, or wayghteth upon them with abundance of wealth and pleasures if they account him a God at all. But if their eyes were not seeled that they might fly right up till they are weary & then fall strait down & break their necks, they might gather a heap of miracles together passed in the ruins of this our town, and by the same learn to know the providence of God. As the wall covered with dry & parched straw, which although it be plaited where the fire had free access and stood like a stake in the midst of overwhelming floods, yet doth it stand whole and sound, yea &, which is more, with one of the corner posts burned a good depth just in the midst of the top, with straws stroughtinge over it unperished. What? hath fortune care of straws? or could these (little wretches) lay hold on her hairy side, & a whole street of houses so many furlongs long not miss the bald. Oh fine straws, if your dexterity have saved you, thank yourselves. If Fortune, fie on her harlot, that would be so friendly unto you, who never did her good, and so froward to the rest, that never wished her harm. Likewise the wind which always changed in defence of those houses that now stand, and then were in danger, may show how far the Lord did purpose to reach his rod, It cannot be denied with any colour of truth, that when the fire had gotten the market stead, the wind from the sowthwest chanced full west, whereby that side was preserved, and when it had got, by your house and beyond it, so that had the fire taken the next row, the remnant, except God being able to do what he will, had showed a wonderful miracle: must of necessity have gone with the fore end of the piece, than I say he brought the wind from the west to the northwest, which kept off both the blaze & sparcks & turned them almost back again, or at the least, that way wherein lay no danger. If any deny this, not only myself who duly observed these alterations as I laboured, but other credible witnesses also can testify with me, & in the end when the fire was suppressed & beaten down, then lo, it returned into the same stead wherein it stood at the first. Moreover, why cannot our fortune men gather nothing out of the preservation of your house, knowing that another was burnt to the earth whichin the on end, namli on the stree● side was joined to it and came somewhat within it, 〈◊〉 on the back side between the foundations of the cross buildings was at the most but four foot distance, so that by all likelihood of imagination the eves of each other must concur within less than three quarters of a yard? if they say your mansion house (whereof the question is) is a tiled house & that you had the assistance of the pit & great help of man's hand, I grant. But I pray you who put that boldness and courage in one only man, whom we never before knew desperate in rash attempts when your house was all ready fired, for want of ladders to break out between two spars, there to endure that great peril & danger that not only his parents & friends cried out on, but all the standers by also for dread of his present death? who I say in this notable distress made him the instrument of your good & an encourage meant to the rest? was it God or fortune? now, all this say our Epicures was fortune forsooth: it was but good & evil luck, it was but habardepas, it was but this or that, & which for a penny. Alas if I should go about to persuade them that before the pit was made, or ere the house was raised, or ere you were born, God held the purpose of your defence, I think they would judge me mad, and yet is it greater madness by odds to deny it. Finally in a world of such witnesses & arguments of the providence of god to make short with them & conclude in a word: so soon as the fire was ceased, who sent that notable shower of rain? was it fortune to show herself in her pontificalibus, or the lord to declare to us & prove what he could have done in time for our safety, if it pleased him? they which ascribe these things to fortune, let them set her on the top of the pinnacle, rest in her contemplation & service & seek non other gods, for she is even good enough to show them experience of eternal shame. It repented godly Augustine that ever he dishonoured the name of God by talking of fortune with his tongue, but these men are not afraid to rob God of his glory, & honour her with their hearts▪ But if they happen to be hunted (like hogs that are led by the ears) from this fortress of theirs, so as they must either confess God or else be pointed out for blaspheming Atheists, then strait way they say that indeed he suffered it, but neither willed it, nor did it: wherein also they shape them out a God according to their own shadow, who by this reason must suffer that which he would not or be a careless & idle overseer of worldly matters. well I leave them to their grossness till the lord shall please to vouch safe their better knowledge or bring upon them the just effects of wilful ignorance. Now for as much as amidds so great desolation he hath left you this notable trial of his love, & tumbled the rest together before the owner's faces as though he would have you to know & confess, & the rest to bear witness of his favour towards you: For the love of god (for your parts) answer him again with your due obedience in that caling wherein he hath placed you, even of a ready & willing mind to bring glory to his name, profit to his church & comfort to your own consciences. And as you have hitherto been countenauncers of the poor professors of jesus christ in this your town, & loving friends to all other: so hereafter, be not wanting (as I trust you will not) in reforming & bridling those, whose religion & manners, you daily see too too far out of square & order, haling the iugdements of god upon them & others, who but for them would be more teachable, & in short space better taught. And the Lord (who in allthings can see the secrets of your intents) shall bless your labours & reward you with the open liberality of his glorious kingdom: which I beseech him grant unto you both. Amen, ¶ Yours, in the Lord, A R. GURNEY. ¶ A LAMENTABLE DISCOURSE of the Spoil of East DEARHAM. WHo marks the steps of this unstaid state, Lest they be reserved for as great or greater judgement. And sees the seas which sink us in our sin, And wiseli weighs our wicked wandering gate, And floods of filth that we lie frozen in, May mourn with me, our cases are akin. I tied my trust to trifling trash and pelf, He by my harm may seek to save himself. ¶ A Town I was though blessed, not brave, God wot, A Town of mean report Ne of renown, my name was always small, My treasures thin, yet trades which I had got, Did hold me high upon an happy stall: An aid was I, but in no case a thrall To neighbour towns dispersed hear and there, My state was sound and stood for stately cheer. ¶ My fields full fair, my pastures pight for good, My waters clear, my fruit sufficient: My bounds both broad and well bestead with wood, My Commons large and comely to content: commodities. But oh, my sin deserved to be shent, And loud did call the vengeance of my God, Who heard at last, and lashed me with his Rod. ¶ For lo, where late I was a Town at needs, Where judgements & where laws were oft discussed, Am now become a Nettle bush of weeds, Defaced with fire and half returned to dust: Eastdearham. My name to ken, who so hath any lust, Dearham I am, situate next the East, In Norfolk soil, full well for man and beast. Meaning all other towns and warning them. ¶ Come forth, therefore, both friend and foe I mean, I counsel all, and none would overpass: Come learn of me, that whilom sound did dream Of happy state, but saw not what it was, A world of sins hath caused my disgrace: Yea, common faults, and in no calm degree, Therefore, I say, now see yourselves by me. ¶ When as I stood in peace and pleasant rest, Guarded with these and pleasures many more: My pleasant paths so promised me the best, That (void of dread) I doubted no such blow: For why? the tempest that hath wrought my woe, Was out of sight and covered with a cloud, which caused me prank, oh wretch & pattern proud. ¶ Why should I count, the courses of my crime? Sith true it is, I plunged was most deep In each offence that doth reproach the time, And in these days, so rock the world asleep? My sins, my sins, have caused me to weep, Whom God hath made a Mirror to them all, That see my sore, or ever search it shall. ¶ A Drunkard (friends) was I with deep delight, drunkenness goeth not alone. And pampered up my paunch with belly cheer: I left not so, but still came on forthright, To thousands more, than I have cited here: I cared not to cog, to lie and swear, To boast and brawl, I thought no simple sport, Ne yet the good, with spite to misreport. ¶ Thus, by degrees, I practised my part, For (whirling now) came Whoredom on withal, Self will, Hatred, and swelling Pride of heart, The lack of Love, did thoroughly make me thrall: I served myself, and posted next the wall My neighbour, friend or foe, what ere he was, As though I raved, to ride on Midas Ass. ¶ Lo friends you see the cause of all my wrecks, Cause. Even sin it was that stroocke this fearful stroke, Now shall you hear the form of such effects, As do pursue them which the Lord provoke, Effects. Their glory fades and falls away like smoke, Expert am I and witness in the case, Whose fumeing faults have thus besmeared my face. ¶ Attend therefore the sequel of my tale, And I shall show the shape of my myshapp. Believe me well I will not pass my pale, But truly touch the truth in every gap, For why? to lull or lusk in liars lap, Ought duly of all men to be abhorred, Now list I say, and do the truth record. ¶ When jove my judge the mighty Lord on high, Had looked long and could not see me come, And when I carded not for his call and cry, Without recovery. Ne would be s●i●de to stoop unto his doom, And when I showed myself both deaf and dumb, Then up he starts and strait had pight the plot Which stained my state, and laid me to my lot. ¶ For at the least, more than a month right out, Drought. Before he blew the brand that burned me thus, He sent a season of sunneshyne and drowghte, No day came down to dew my utter crust, But parched me like the perfect tunder dust, So that the steel no sooner gave the stroke, But flames flew out and I began to smoke. ¶ The time of year, was trusty to the touch, This spoken. tantum secundum quid. For julie did her dry days begin: Who to the Match. the Candle well could couch, And light the mist of my misfortune in: Now woes 'gan weave the web which I did spin, And sith the Lord hath just set down my time, Man's help vain. I jumped in vain to save me by a shrine. JULY. ¶ The eightéenth day of that same mournful moon, Within the year of th'incarnation A comparison borrowed of the Moon ●●tring into the line of 〈◊〉 Of Christ our Lord God's well-beloved son, One thousand five hundredth eighty and one. Before eleven a clock in the forenoon, I took my course into Ecliptica, And left my lamp in lewd Saturnica. ¶ For why, the Lord did hide him now behind, The Centre of his whole consuming ire, He alludeth still unto an eclipps. And now my sin the torture so unkind, Opposed me just whereof aroase the fire, For look how much my flames increased hire, So much they dimmed and daunted my estate, And caused me crouch unto a crabbed fate. ¶ My streets were longest twixt the South and North, The situation of the town. And therein beard such beauty as I bore, My breadth from East to West did pass right forth, And as in towns cross streets full common are, Right so in me they went and planted were. Whereby four ways the fire soon was spread, All which at one must needs annoy my head. ¶ The wind (God wots) did wait at the south-west, The wind. To blow the blaze into the market plot, All things were armed and ready to arrest, My careless corpse, that all mishaps forgot, Wherefore I served am, full like a sot, For lo, even in the midst of the high street, The cuilles were met which did me thus entreat. ¶ As for the man with whom it did begin, Where the fire began. The heavens behold I would not hide his crime, Yet I suppose he hath committed sin Which lately galled him in a reckless rhyme, For if I wear, his faults for to define, I could not charge him with infamous acts, Ne tread the trace of his so filthy facts. ¶ He is (no doubt) a sinner with the rest, And bears the Badge of Adames beastly part, And broods the bale, that breeds within his breast, And hoards the harms that hangs on each man's heart, I know what I could say of his desert: But let that pass, I am not here to tell Of praise, but how with me it late befell. ¶ Betwixt the wife and maid of that same man, Right true it is, my bane at first broke out, To whom (likewise) no harm adjudge I can, In this their fact, for why? what man can doubt, But that they rued the ruin of this rout? Besides (my friends) in all these flames and smoke We may be sure, the Lord did strike his stroke. ¶ This being thus, why should I chalk his chance? With marks of malice and of fowl despite, Full well I see, he did but lead the Dance: For many more were pestered in that plight, Yet all (I deem, with very dull delight: And sith I know, God eft with his begins, 1. Pet. 4.17. Why do I point at this man and his sins? ¶ Admit the Lord would wrest from him my woe, And first of all, put him in for his part, Shall I anon, my ways and wants let go, As though myself had near deserved to smart, None can so count, but being fond in heart, Let me (therefore) still as I ought believe, That he hath ta'en, which first to me did give. ¶ But now again, I turn me to my tale, My Bells were rung, and I strait ways aroase, My neighbours heard them both from Hill and dale, No help can intercept the work of God. Which way so ere the rumour spreads and goes, But all was one, were they my friends or foes, They could not stint ne stay the strong decree, Which God had pitched and plotted out for me. ¶ Yet sith I say, I could not understand, Means ●●d. Ne search the secrets of his holy head Nor see how far he would stretch forth his hand, Nor what for me he had afore decreed: I left no let that might me stand in stead, But used those my Masteries in chief, That promised most, yet lest did ease my grief. ¶ Some water drew, some did the same transport, Some Ladders reared and ran to houses tops, Some spread wet clothes, and some in woeful sort, Came headlongs down from eves where water drops Some counsel gave, and called other fops, Some cried allowed, do rear before the fire, And some bad rend, but where I would repair ¶ Some sought to save some linen cloth and ware, And some again my coin 'gan fast convey, Some came with Carts, and with whole loads of care Some goods did lead into the fields and way, Some for their deeds and Evidences pray, Some that were stoarde of victuals and of grain, Did see it burn unto their loss and pain. ¶ Some from the field returned soon and fast, But were shut out, and could no where get in. Some to scape out, with baggage ran in haste, And could perceive no assault where to begin, Thus some and some great weariness did win, Until the some was very scant and small, That idle stood, and in no stead at all. ¶ And what for this? where is the gain I got? My means did fade, and fall flat to the ground, And all my helps and hands were stayed (God wots) Which sought to save me in that state and stownde: Because the Lord would needs me now confownde, And make me taste some trial of mishap, Thus was I caught in trifling with the trap. ¶ For lo, the Ladders that were soon set up, The fire did force to fall right down as fast: Ladders burnt My strength was stayed, that I mought sup the Cup, And ken myself a captive at the last, The wind did wax, as though it made great haste, To fling the flames of fowl fate about, And could rejoice my weal to scorn and flout ¶ And where my aid in water chief lay, As in a mean for such distress prepared, The benefit of w●●● lost. And where I made my most recourse that way, My footing failed till all my Mart was marred, Full suddenly thereof was I debarred: For why? the brands, they whirled so fast about. They burned my Pumps, & won my wells right out ¶ And where my wares was posted too and fro, And left at large, for every man to see, pylf●●●s. Few bought (God knows (but many borrowed so, That I have cause to curse their knavery: And shall no less (I doubt me) while I die: For though evil winds do blow some men to good Yet aro they lewd, that lives by others food. ¶ Nay, loudly lewd, and most accursed wighres, Be they who see the Thunderboultes of God, Th●●●●ckednes 〈◊〉. About their cares, and still dare use the sleights, And in their thest and villainy thus plod, Where shall they have their lasting place and bode, In heaven? no, here I pawn and pledge my soul, Except they turn, and tame such fancies fowl. ¶ Can any beast that feeds on carrion vile? Or can the Dog spew out such filth as this? Or can the devil more damnably beguile? Those whom he trains to turn from lasting bliss, If all the Furies were agreed 〈…〉 They could scarce coin 〈…〉 Then these have found, by 〈…〉 ¶ If Pallas had set over all her skill, Or were my tongues more than were Argus eyes, Or had I got the trade of Tully's Quill: These often told, could me not half suffice, To paint and portray out in worthy wise, The sore, the sin, the shameful parts of man: Whose mind and mood no mean but madness can ¶ For though the Lord imprints in cloud and sky, Right strange Edicts, to call us home from sin, Natu●●uses And so by signs of judgements daily try, The cankered case that we lie tumbling in, Yet nothing will our wandering senses win, We strait, in nature, can discern the cause, And so ascribe each thing unto her laws. ¶ We diversie can descant of the Earth, And dull us in ou● deep devices so, And show the cause of plenty and of dearth, And what doth shake the ground, and many more, We are so far betwitcht and gone in woe, That when the Lord doth plead our plagues by word We shift it off, as though he did but board. ¶ Doubtless I deem, or (rather see right well, That if from Heaven, we heard his voice and cry: Or if he sent the silly souls from Hell: Diue● Lazaru● To warn us by their woeful misery, We would account all this but fablerie, So that (alas) I can not judge ne think, What may us save, that have such minds to sink ¶ If fearful Comet glide over our head, Or blazing Stars shine in our shameless eyes, If Sickness have our sore both brought and bred, Or else the loss of lands caused our cries, Of these (I say) we dazzle and devise, 〈…〉 Nature, as our God, 〈…〉 and daily nod. ¶ Few proofs herein may seem sufficient, For (out alas) how many way the truth, Mine eyes, mine eyes, want no experiment, That may me drive to dole and double ruth, Note this well For of my heavy harmful hap ensueth, Nought else with most, but discord and disdain: And of my loss, have many made their gain. ¶ But if they fear the judgements of the Lord, Or knew from whence this passing plague did springe, Or would not wrongly still my case record, Ne shroud my shame under their fortune's wing, They would be careful of this cruel thing, And rather learn to leave for fear of pain, Then love so long to live by traitors' train. ¶ But all in vain I seem thus to inveigh, Their frozen hearts I fear not soon can though, The preachers after the fire in fearful manner, charged to restore all the stolen stuf. They have been taught and truly told the way, How they might gain, and in God's favour grow, But they are deaf, they love to hear of snow, Therefore I leave them that will filthy be, And so again unto my tale do flee. ¶ When as I saw I was so sore beset, On cry side that now no hope I had, And that my means did fall into the net, And all was fish that came, both good and bad, Right hastily and all, in care clad, I muckehild up, my movables and stuff, And shortly saved mickle mangled shruffe. ¶ Alas the while, what sight was this to see, I got a bed, the fire gained a house, I chopped a chip, it took away the tree? It caught the head and I reached back a louse For every plume, I parted with a geese, And yet alas, it rag'de and ran so fast, That lo, this luck it suffered not to last ¶ For after it had once begun to fume, No mercy in fire Against the wind, and with the wind it went, It left no side, bue eftsoons did assume, All that it toutcht, and no way would be penned, Till my long streets, on both sides it had brent, And made them low and level with the ground, And of my coin, had melted many a pound. ¶ The House's Mansion, which it brought down, Were fifty two, even there abouts I guess, The sum of houses. And all the rest, that burnt were in the Town, Three hundred and fifty, not many more ne less. So that the total number I confess, Is four hundred and twain, which I clearly lost. And now do lack, to my great grief and cost. ¶ The Fish and flesh, that I forehand prepared, Havoc. The Drink, the drugs, the bread, butter and cheese, The Hay, the straw, the wood for which I card, All at a clap, I must forego dnd lose: The Catchpole caught them as his lawful fees, Which laid me supperless upon my Bed, When I scarce found a Couch to calm my head. ¶ The Fruit that late I loved to pair and prune, Hunger is good ●●use I now could reach well roasted from the trees, Hunger with care, had harped so sweet a tune, That Biscuit Boxes, Caraways and these, I left at large, for dainty wasps and Bees, And now could leap aloft to catch a crust, And snap it up with Appetite and lust. The moan of infants & women with children. ¶ And doubtless, who had heard the Infant's moan, For lack of lodging and accustomed fare, Or of the bruised and burnt, the grievous groan, Or seen the shift, that poor estate and bare, Of women, that full big with children wear, Would near forget the Pageants nor the plight, So long as he could know a woeful wight.