¶ One and thirty Epigrams wherein are briefly touched so many abuses, that may and ought to be put away. Compiled and Imprinted by Robert Crowley, dwelling in Elye rents. in Holborn. Anno domini. 1550.  i Cor. xiiii. What so ever ye do, let the same be done to edify withal. Gala vi. If I should study to please men: than could I not be the servant of Christ.  

The Book to the Reader.  

IF books may be bold  
to blame and reprove,  
The faults of all men  
both high and low:  
As the Prophets did  
whom Gods spirit did move,  
Than blame not mine Author,  
for right well I know:  
His pen is not tempered  
vain doctrine to sow,  
But as Isaiah hath bidden  
so must he needs cry, 
isaiah. 5●   
And tell the lords people  
of their iniquity.   

Now if I do the worldlings  
in any point offend  
In that I reprove them  
for their wickedness:  
It is a plain token  
they will not emend  
I take all the wise men  
of the earth to witness,  
To them therefore mine Author  
biddeth me confess,  
That sith they be determined  
still in their sin to dwell:  

john. iii.  He accounteth them no better  
than fire brands of hell.   

Wherefore he bade me bid them  
hold them content,  
He hath not written to them  
that will not emend,  
For to the willing wicked  
no prophet shall be sent  
Except it be to tell them  
that at the last end  
They shall be sure and certain  
with Satanas to wend.  
For before such swine  

Mat. seven.  no pearls may be cast,  
That in the filthy puddle  
take all their repast.   

To such only therefore  
I must his message do,  
As have not their delight  
in wickedness to dwell,  
But when they hear their fault  
are sorry they did so,  
And lovingly embrace  
such men as do them tell, 
Luke. v.   
Reforming evermore  
their life by the gospel.  
To these men am I sent  
and these I trust will take  
My warning in good part  
and their evil forsake.   john, viii. He that is of God, heareth the word of God. 
Finis.   

¶ The table of the contents of this book.  

A  
Of abbeys  
Of Alehouses  
Of Alleys  
Of Alms houses.   

B  
Of Balyarrantes  
Of Bawds  
Of Beggars  
Of Bear-baiting  
Of Brawlers  
Of Blasphemous swearers.   

C  
Of Colliers  
Of Commocioners  
Of Commune drunkards.  
Of common liars   

D  
Of Dyce players  
Of Double beneficed men   

E  
Of Thexcheker.   

F  
Of Fatterers  
Of fool  
Of Forestallers   

G  
Of Godless men   

I  
Of Idle persons  
Of Inventors of strange news.   

L  
Of Say men that take tithes  
Of Leasemongers   

M  
Of Merchants  
Of Men that have divers offices.   

N  
Of Nice wives.   

O  
Of Obstinate Papists.   

R  
Of Rent raysers.   

V  
Of Vain writers  
Of Vnsausiable Purchasers  
Of Usurers.    


Of abbeys.  
AS I walked alone  
and mused on things,  
That have in my time  
been done by great kings.  
I bethought me of abbeys  
that sometime I saw,  
Which are now suppressed  
all by a law.  
O Lord (thought I then)  
what occasion was here,  
To provide for learning  
and make poverty cheer?  
The lands and the jewels  
that hereby were had,  
Would have found godly preachers  
which might well have lad:  
The people aright  
that now go astray,  
And have fed the poor  
that famish every day.  
But as I thus thought  
it came to my mind,  
That the people will not see  
but delight to be blind,  
Wherefore they are not worthy  
good preachers to have,  
Nor yet to be provided for  
but still in vain to crave.  
Than said I (O Lord God)  
make this time short, 
Mat. 24.   
For their sakes only Lord  
that be thy chosen sort.   

Of Alehouses  
NEades must we have places  
for victuals to be sold,  
For such as be sick  
poor, feeble, and old.  
But lord to how great  
abuse they be grown,  
In each little Hamlet,  
village, and town.  
They are become places  
of waste and excess,  
An herber for such men  
as live in idleness.  
And lightly in the country  
they are placed so,  
That they stand in men's way  
when they should to church go.  
And than such as love not  
to hear their faults told  
By the minister that readeth  
the new testament and old.  
Do turn into the alehouse  
and let the church go.  
Yea, and men accounted wise  
and honest do so.  
But London (God be praised)  
all men may commend  
Which doth now this great  
enormity emend  
For in Service time  
no door standeth up, 
A commendation of London.   
Where such men are wont  
to fill can and cup.  
Would God in the country  
they would do the same  
Either for gods fear  
or for worldly shame.  
How hollow they the Saboth  
that do the time spend,  
In drinking and idleness  
till the day be at an end?  
Not so well as he doth  
that goeth to the plough,  
Or pitcheth up the sheaves  
from the cart to the mow.  

Mat. xiii  But he doth make holy  
the Sabothe in deed,  
That heareth God's word  
and helpeth such as need.   

Of Alleys.  
TWo sorts of Alleys  
in London I find,  
The one against the law  
and the other against kind.  
The first is where bowling  
forbidden men use,  
And wasting their good  
do their labour refuse.  

A dispraise of London.  But in London (alas)  
some men are devillishelye  
Suffered to profess it,  
as an art to live by.  
Well I will say no more  
but such as live so,  
And officers that suffer them  
shall together go.  
To Satan their fire  
for of god they are not,  
Who commandeth to labour  
two days ye wot. 
Exo. xxiii.   
And the seventh he commandeth  
all men to sanctify,  
In being well occupied  
and not idlelye  
The other sort of Alleys  
that be against kind, 
Alleys against kind.   
Do make my heart weep  
when they come to my mind.  
For there are poor people  
wellmost innumerable,  
That are driven to beg,  
and yet to work they are able.  
If they might have allthings  
provided aright,  
Alas, is not this,  
a great over sight?  
Ye Aldermen and other  
that take allay rent  
Why bestow ye not the riches  
that god hath you sent.  
In woule or in flax  
to find them occupied  
That now lie and beg  
by every high way side.  
And you that be chief  
and have the common treasure  
Why can you never find  
a time of leisure  
To see where the treasure  
will find them working  
To the profit of the City  
in some manner thing  
But (alas) this my tale,  
is to deaf men told  
For the charity of rich men  
is now thorough cold.  
And this is a City  
in name, but in deed  
It is a pack of people  
that seek after meed. 
Look the definition of a city you that be served   
For officers and all  
do seek their own gain,  
But for the wealth of the commons  
not one taketh pain  
An hell without order  
I may it well call  
Where every man is for himself  
and no man for all.   

Of Alms houses.  
A Merchant that long time  
had been in strange lands  
Returned to his country  
which in Europe stands:  
And in his return  
his way lay to pass,  
By a Spittle house not far from  
where his dwelling was.  
He looked for this hospital  
but none could he see,  
For a lordly house was built  
where the hospital should be.  
Good Lord (said this merchant)  
is my country so wealthy?  
That the very beggars houses  
be built so gorgeously?  
Than by the way side  
him chanced to see,  
A poor man that craved  
of him for charity.  
Why (quoth this Merchant)  
what meaneth this thing?  
Do ye beg by the way  
and have a house for a king?  
Alas sir (quoth the poor man)  
we are all turned out,  
And lie and die in corners  
here and there about.  
Men of great riches,  
have bought our dwelling place,  
And when we crave of them  
they turn way their face.  
Lord God (quoth this merchant)  
in Turkey have I been,  
Yet among those Heathen,  
none such cruelty have I seen  
The vengeance of god  
must fall, no remedy,  
Upon these wicked men  
and that very shortly.   

Of Bailiff Arrantes.  
A Bailiff there was  
in the west country,  
That did as they do  
in all quarter's men say.  
He served with one write  
an whole score or twain,  
And took in hand to excuse them  
having pence for his pain.  
And when he should warn a quest  
in sessions to appear,  
He would surely warn them  
that would make him no cheer.  
And than take a bribe  
to make answer for them,  
But when he metie his friends  
than would he say but 'em.  
But such as had no cheer  
nor money to pay  
Were sure to trudge,  
to the sessions alway.  

The bailiffs hadlande  Ye must give him some thing.  
to sow his hadlande  
Or else ye can have,  
no favour at his hand.  
Some puddyngiss or Baken,  
or cheese for to eat  
A bushel of barley,  
some malt or some wheat.  
His hadland is good ground,  
and beareth all thing  
Be it Baken or beef,  
stockefyshe or ling.  
Thus poor men are polled,  
and pyld to the bare  
By such as should serve them:  
to keep them from care.   

Of Bawds.  
THe bawdis of the stews  
be turned all out  
But some think they inhabit,  
all England through out  
In taverns and tippling houses,  
many might be found  
If officers would make search  
but as they are bound  
Well let them take heed  
I will say no more  
But when god revengeth  
he punisheth sore  
An horrible thing,  
it is for to fall  
Into that Lordis handis 
Hebr. x.   
that is eternal   

Of Beggars.  
THe Beggars whom need  
compelleth to crave  
Aught at our handis  
some relief to have  
But such as do counterfeit,  
having their strength  
To labour if they lust,  
being known at the length  
Ought to be constrained,  
to work what they can  
And live on their labours  
as beseemeth a Christian  
And if they refuse  
to work for their meat  

i. Tim iii  Then ought they to fast  
as not worthy to eat  
And such as be sore  
and will not be healed  
Ought not many case  
to be charished  
I heard of two beggars  

Of two beggars  that under an hedge sat  
who did with long talk  
their matters debate.  
They had both sore legs  
most loathsome to see  
All raw from the foot  
wellmost to the knee  
My leg, quoth the one  
I thank god is fair  
So is mine (quoth the other)  
in a cold air  
For then it looketh raw  
and as red as any blood  
I would not have it healed  
for any worldis good  
For were it once whole  
my living were gone,  
And for a sturdy beggar  
I should be take anon.  
No man would pity me  
but for my sore leg,  
Wherefore if it were whole  
I might in vain beg.  
I should be constrained  
to labour and sweat,  
And perhaps sometime  
with schourges be beat.  
Well (said the t'other)  
let us take heed therefore,  
That we let them nor heat  
but keep them still sore.  
another thing I heard  
of a beggar that was lame, 
Of an other beggar.   
Much like one of these  
if it were not the same.  
Who sitting by the fire  
with the cup in his hand.  
Began to wonder when  
he should be a good husband.  
I shall never thrive  
(quoth this beget) I ween,  
For I gate but. xvi.d. to day  
and have spent eighteen.  
Well let the world wag  
we must needs have drink  
Go fill me this quart pot  
full to the brink,  
The tongue must have basting  
it will the better wag,  
To pull a gods penny  
out of a churls bag.  
Yet cease not to give to all  
without any regard,  
Though the beggars be wicked  
thou shalt have thy reward.   

Of Bearbayting.  
WHat folly is this?  
to keep with danger,  
A great mastyfe dog  
and a foul ugly Bear.  
And to this only end  
to see them two fight,  
With terrible tearing  
a full ugly sight.  
And yet me think those men  
be most fools of all  
Whose store of money  
is but very small.  
And yet every sunday  
they will surely spend,  
One penny or two  
the bearwards living to mend.  
At Paryse garden each sunday  
a man shall not fail, 
Parise garden   
To find two or three hundreds  
for the bearward's vail.  
One halpenye a piece  
they use for to give  
When some have no more  
in their purse I believe.  
Well, at the last day  
their conscience will declare  
That the poor aught to have  
all that they may spare.  

Eccle. iiii  For God hath commanded  
that what we may spare,  
Be given to the poor  
that be full of care.  
If you give it therefore  
to see a Bear fight,  
Be ye sure gods curse  
will upon you light.   

Of Brawlers.  
A Brawler that loveth  
to break the kings peace,  
And seek his own sorrow  
his fancy to please.  
Is like a cur Dog  
that setteth upon  
Each mastyfe and hound  
that he may light on.  
He getteth him hatred  
of every man  
And meeteth with his master  
ever now and than.  
To hurt other men  
he taketh great pain:  
He turneth no man  
to profit or gain.  
Except it be the Surgeon  
or the Armourer  
The Bailiff, the constable  
or the jailer.  
This is a worthy member  
in a common wealth,  
That to work other woe  
will lose his own health.  
What other men will judge  
I can not tell  
But if he scape Tyburn  
I think he will hang in hell.   

Of Blasphemous swearers.  
THe son of sirach  
writeth plainly, 
Eccl. xxiii   
Of such men as do  
swear blasphemouselye.  
The man that sweareth much  
shall be filled, sayeth he,  
With all wicked manners  
and iniquity.  
In the house of that man  
the plague shall not cease,  
He shall be still plagued  
either more or less.  

Math. v.  Christ biddeth all his,  
affirm and deny,  
With yea yea, nay nay,  
affirming no lie.  
What so ever ye add more  
(sayeth he) cometh of evil.  
And is of the wicked  
suggestion of the devil.  
But we can not talk  
withouten oaths plenty  
Some swear by gods nails  
his heart and his body,  
And some swear his flesh,  
his blood and his foot.  
And some by his guts  
his life and heart rote.  
Some other would seem  
all swearing to refrain,  
And they invent idle oaths  
such is their idle brain.  
By cock and by pie  
and by the goose wing  
By the cross of the mouse foot  
and by sa●ncre chyckyn.  
And some swear by the devil  
such is their blindness,  
Not knowing that they call  
these things to witness.  
Of their Consciences in that  
they affirm or deny,  
So both sorts commit  
most abominable blasphemy.   

Of the collier of Croyden.  
IT is said that in Croyden  
there did sometime dwell,  
A collier that did  
all other Colliers excel.  
For his riches this collier  
might have been a knight  
But in the order of knighthood  
he had no delight.  
Would god all our knights  
did mind colinge no more,  
Than this collier did knighting  
as is said before.  
For when none but poor coliars  
did with coals mell,  
At a reasonable price  
They did their coals sell.  
But sense our knight Coliars  
have had the first sale  
We have paid much money  
and had few sacks to tale.  
A load that of late years  
for a royal was sold,  
Will cost now. xvi.ss.  
of silver or gold.  
God grant these men grace  
their polling to refrain.  
Or else bring them back  
to their old state again.  
And especially the collier  
that at Croyden doth sell,  
For men think he is cozen  
to the Collier of hell.   

Of Commotioners.  
WHen the body is vexed  
through humours corrupted  
To restore it to health  
those humours must be purged  
For if they remain  
they will still increase:  
Every day more and more  
and augment the disease.  
So that in short time  
the body must decay,  
Except God give health  
by some other way.  
Even so doth it far  
by the weal public  
Which chanceth to be often  
diseased and sick.  
Through the mischievous malice  
of such men as be,  
Desirous to break  
the public unity.  
Each public body  
must be purged therefore  
Of these rotten humours  
as is said before.  
Else will it decay,  
as do the bodies natural  
When rotten humours  
have infected them over all  
But if the public body,  
can not be purged well  
By force of purgation  
as phicisins do tell  
When bodies be weak,  
and so low brought  
That by purgation,  
no health can be wrought  
Then must there be sought  
some easier way  
To kill the strength of those humours  
as phiasians say.  
When the sword will not help  
in the common wealth  
To purge it of Commotioners  
and bring it to health.  
Than must discrete counsel  
find ways to kill,  
The power of those rebels  
and let them of their will.  
And that must be by cherishing  
the humours natural,  
And by quickening again  
of the spirits victual.  
Which in the common wealth  
are the subjects true,  
That do alway study  
Sedition to eschew.  
When these men through cherishing  
do grow and be strong:  
Than can not Commocioners  
continue long.  
For as when the strength  
of ill humours is killed,  
In a natural body  
they be soon comsumed.  
Or made of evil good  
as it is plain to see:  
So will it betide  
of such men as be.  
In the common wealth  
given unto sedision,  
When they see they cannot  
finish their intention.  
And what is their power  
but the people ignorant  
Whom they do abuse  
by their councils malignant?  
When the hearts of the people  
be won to their prince,  
Than can no commotioners  
do hurt in his province.  
If this will not help  
than God will take cure,  
And destroy these Commosioners  
we may be right sure.  
Except the time be come  
that the body must die,  
For than there can be found  
no manner remedy.  
God grant that our sin  
have not brought us so low,  
That we be pass cure  
god only doth this know.  
And I trust to see health again  
if the final end,  
Be not now near at hand  
which the Lord shortly send.   

Of comen drunkards.  
Isaiah lamenteth  
and sayeth out alas  
Much woe shall betide you  
that do your time pass. 
Isaiah. v.   
In eating and drinking  
from morning to night,  
Till none of your members  
can do his office right.  
Woe be to you, sayeth he,  
that do so early rise,  
To fill yourselves with drink  
in such beastly wise  
But if he were now living  
and saw this worlds state,  
He would say this of our drunkards  
that sit up so late.  
For few of our drunkards  
do use to rise early,  
But much of the night  
they will drink lustily.  
Well, 
i Cor. i.  saint Paul doth warn  
all that be of pure mind  
To avoid drunkards company  
where so ever they do them find.  
See ye neither eat nor drink  
with such men, sayeth he,  
That be given to drinking  
what so ever they be,  
But alas many curates  
that should us this tell  
Do all their parishioners  
in drinking excel.   

Of common Liars.  

Sapi. i.  SOlomon the sage  
in Sapience doth say  
That the mouth that lieth  
doth the very soul slay.  
If the murderer of bodies  
be worthy to die,  
The murderer of souls  
should not escape, trow I.  
For as the Soul doth  
the body excel  
So is his treaspace greater  
that doth the soul quell.  
But Liars (alas)  
are now much set by,  
And thought to be men  
in a manner necessary.  
To be entertained  
of each noble man,  
Who are much delighted  
with lies now and than.  
But this delight will be sorrow  
I fear me at the last,  
When the liar for his lying  
into pains shall be cast.   

Of Dicears.  
among witty sayings  
this precept I find, 
Cato.   
To avoid and i'll dice (my son)  
have ever in mind.  
For dicing hath brought many  
wealthy men to care,  
And many rich heir  
it hath made full bare.  
Some men it hath set up  
I will not deny,  
And brought to more worship  
than they be worthy.  
God knoweth to what end  
he suffereth this thing  
Perchance to reward them  
with hell at their ending.  
For doubtless those goods  
are gotten amiss  
That are gotten from him  
that prodigal is.  
And especially at the dice,  
where both do intend  
To get the others goodis,  
or else his own to spend.  
Now if prodigality  
or covetise be vice  
He can not but offend,  
that playeth at the dice  
For be they two or more,  
this thing is certain  
prodigality and covetise  
do in them all reign  
Beside the wicked oaths,  
and the time misspent  
Whereof they think they need not  
themselves to repent.  
But this I dare say,  
that though dyring were no sin,  
Nor the goodis mysgoten,  
that men do thereat win  
Yet the oaths that they swear  
and the time misspent  
Shall be their damnation  
unless they repent.  
Leave of your vain dicing  
ye dicers therefore  
For unless ye repent,  
god hath vengeance in store  
And when ye think least,  
then will he pour it out  
And make you to stoop,  
be ye never so stout.   

Of double beneficed men.  
THe king of that realm,  
where justice doth reign  
Perused old statutis,  
that in books remain.  
And as he turned the book,  
him chanced to see  
That such as have benefices  
should resident be.  
And have their abiding  
whiles their life should endure  
among them over whom  
god hath given them cure.  
Than said he to himself  
I think well there is,  
No law in this realm  
worse observed than this.  
Yet can there nothing  
my flock more decay,  
Than when hirelings suffer  
my sheep to go astray.  
Then called he his counsel  
and told them his mind,  
And willed that they should  
some remedy find.  
Who with good advice  
agreed on this thing,  
That visitors should be sent  
with the power of the king  
To punish all such  
as herein did offend  
Unless they were found  
thorough willing to amend.  
These visitors found many stout  
priests, but chiefly one, 
Osee. iiii   
That had sundry benefices  
but would surrender none.  
Than was this stout fellow  
brought to the king,  
Who said unto him,  
sir how chanceth this thing?  
Will ye transegresse my laws  
and than disobey:  
men having my power?  
sir what can you say?  
If it may like your grace (quoth he)  
lo here is to see,  
Your seal at a grant  
of a plurality.  
Well, said the king than,  
I repent me of all ill:  
But tell me master doctor  
will you have your benefices still?  
If your grace do me right (ꝙ he)  
I must have them my life time,  
So shalt thou (quoth the king)  
for to morrow by prime  
God willing, thy body,  
shallbe divided and sent  
To each benefice a piece,  
to make the resident.  
Away with him (quoth the king)  
and let all things be done  
As I have given sentence,  
to morower none  
For sith thou art a stout priest  
an example thou shalt be  
That all stouburne priests,  
may take warning by the.   

Of the Exchequer  
IN the west part of Europe  
there was sometime a king  
That had a court for receit,  
of money to him belonging.  
But the ministers for that Court,  
did long & many a day  
Take bribes to bear with such men  
as should forfaytis pay.  
At the last to the king,  
this their falsehood was told  
By such as about him,  
were faithful and bold.  
Then did the king send,  
for these ministers ill  
And laid all their treaspases,  
before them in a bill.  
Then were they abashed,  
and had nought to say  
But cried for his pardon,  
but he bade away.  
Ye have borne with thieves,  
and have rob me  
And suffered my commons,  
impoverished to be.  
No statute could cause,  
offendars to emend  
Because you did bear with them  
when they did offend.  
Away with them all,  
lay them fast in prison  
Till we have determined,  
what shall with them be done.  
What judgement they had,  
I have not heard yet.  
But well I wots they deserved,  
a tiburne tippet.   

Of Fatterars.  
A Flattering friend,  
is worse than a foe.  
For a friend is betrusted,  
when the other is not so.  
Of an open enemy,  
a man may be ware,  

two. Re. iii.  when the flattering friend,  
will work men much care.  
For if Abner had known,  
what was in joabs heart.  
I do not doubt but he would,  
have out of his way start.  
Or at the least he would not,  
have admitted him so nigh:  
As to be embraced of him,  
and on his dagger to die.  
Wherefore I advertise  
all men to be ware  
Of all flattering friends,  
that bring men to care.  
As for open enemies,  
trust them if ye will,  
I can not forbid you,  
to admit your own ill.  
Would god all men would,  
such flatterars try:  
As hang at their elbows  
to get some what thereby.  
But (alas) now adays,  
men of honour do promote:  
Many a false flattering,  
and lewd harlot.  
Which thing may at the length  
be their own decay.  
For if the wind turn,  
the flatterars will away.  
The swallow in summer  
will in your house dwell,  
But when winter is coming  
she will say farewell.  
And when the short days,  
begin to be cold  
Robin red breast will come hom●  
to you and be very bold.  
But when summer returneth  
and bushes wax green,  
Then Robin your man  
will no more be seen.  
So some of your flatterers  
will in prosperity,  
Be of your household  
and of your family.  
And some other will  
when need doth them pain  
Sue to do you service  
till they be wealthy again.   

Of Foles.  
THe preacher saith thus  

Eccle. iiii  a poor witty lad,  
Is better than an old king  
whose wit is but bad.  
The wise man in poverty  
is right honourable,  
When the fool in his riches  
is worthy a babble.  
Some fools there be of nature  
that understand nought,  
And some understand things  
But do conceive in their thought  
That they themselves be wisest  
which folly passeth all,  
And doth soon appear  
both in great and small.  
These fools will hear no man's  
read or counsel,  
And whatsoever they themselves do  
is exceadynge-well.  
But other men's doings  
they will ever dispraise  
None other can do ought  
that may their minds please.  
And further they think  
it becometh them well  
In every man's matter  
themselves to entermell.  
And when they come in place  
where is any talk,  
No man shall have time to speak,  
their tongues shall so walk.  
Of their own deeds and goodis,  
they will brag and boast  
And declare all their mishaps,  
and what they have lost.  
If ye tell them of their faults,  
then will they nediss fight  
Ye must say as they say,  
be it wrong or right  
In fine ye must praise them  
and set forth their fame  
And how so ever they do,  
Ye may them not blame.  
If ye tell them of knowledge,  
they say they lack none  
And wish they had less,  
and then they make moan  
For the loss of vain toys,  
where in they delight  
And then if ye reason far,  
beware, they will fight  
All wise men take heed,  
and shun their company  
For of all other men,  
they are most ungodly   

Of Forestallers.  
THe fryses of Walis  
to Brystow are brought  
But before they are woven  
in walis they are bought  
So that now we do pay,  
four grotis or else more  
For the friese we have bought,  
for eight pens heretofore  
And some say the woule,  
is bought ere it do grow  
And the corn long before,  
it come in the mow.  
But one thing there is,  
that hurteth most of all.  
Many offices are bought,  
long ere they fall.  
And right so are benefices,  
in every coast.  
So that persons and vicar's,  
keep neither sod nor roost.  
The poor of the parish,  
whom the person should feed.  
Can have nought of our tythiss,  
to succour their need.  
reversions of farms  
are bought on each side,  
And the old tenant must pay well  
if he will abide.  
And where the father paid a penny  
and a Capon or twain,  
The son must pay ten pound  
this passeth my brain  
Well, let these forestallers  
repent them betime,  
least the clerk of the market  
be with them ere prime.  
For he when he cometh  
will punish them all,  
That do any needful thing  
engross or forestall.  
For well I wot this  
when he went last away  
He sent us his servant  
and thus did he say.  

i Cor. x.  See that among you  
none seek his own gain,  
But profit each other  
with travail and pain.   

Of Godless men.  
Holy David that was  
both prophet and king  
Saw in his time  
(as appeareth by his writing)  
That in those days  
there were men of wicked heart, 
Psal. viii   
That did all godly ways  
utterly pervert.  
And so there are now  
the pity is the more,  
That live more carnally  
than ever men did before.  
These men (sayeth king David)  
in their hearts do say,  
surely there is no God  
let us take our own way.  
Thus judged king David  
and that for good skill  
Because he saw their works  
were wicked and evil.  
They are (sayeth he) corrupt  
and nought in all their ways  
Not one that doth good.  
and therefore he says  
That they think there is no god  
their worckis do declare  
For to do the thing that good is  
they have no manner care.  
But what would David say,  
if he were in these days,  
when men will do Ill,  
and justify their ill ways?  
They leave the good undone,  
and do that ill is.  
And then they call that ill good,  
what would David say to this?  
I know not what David  
would say in this case.  
But I know that good Esay,  
doth curse them apace.  

isaiah. v.  Woe, saith this prophet,  
to them that in do call.  
That thing good that evil is  
but this is not all.  
He sayeth woe to them,  
that call dearckenes light.  
Preferring their fansey,  
before the word of might  
If they find a thing written  
in Paul, Luke or john  
Or any other scripture,  
they will there of none:  
Except they may easily,  
perceive and see.  
That with their fleshly fansey,  
they may make it agree.  
All other textis of scripture,  
they will not stick to deny.  
Yea some of them will,  
god and his scripture defy.  
And say they will make merry here  
for when they be gone,  
They can have no joy,  
for soul they have none.  
If these men be not godless  
much marvel have I,  
Well, the cause is the Lords  
let him and them try.  
I know at the last  
they shall find him to strong.  
The day of his vengeance,  
will not tarry long.   

Of Idle persons  
Idleness hath been cause  

Eccle 33  of much wickedness.  
As Ecclesiasticus,  
doth plainly witness.  
Idle persons therefore,  
can not be all clear.  
As by the story of Sodom,  
it doth well appear  
But that we may come near,  
to our own age  
The Idleness of abbeys,  
made them outrage.  
Yet let us come near,  
even to the time present.  
And see what mischief,  
Idle persons do invent.  
What conspiracies have been wrought  
within this little while.  
By Idle men that did,  
the commons beguile.  
And what have Idle men,  
alway practised.  
To break the peace of princes,  
that they might be hired.  
I will not say what,  
the Idleness of priests hath done  
Nor yet the Idleness,  
of seruantis in London  
Let every man search,  
his own household well,  
And whether the thing,  
be true that I tell.  
Yea what abuse died ever,  
among the people rain.  
But the same did first spring.  
out of an Idle brain.  
Idleness therefore,  
may right well be named  
The gate of all mischief  
that ever was framed.  
Ye masters and fathers therefore  
that fear God omnipotent,  
Keep your families occupied  
least ye be shent.  
For if thorough their idleness  
they fall into outrage,  
Your judgement shall be straight,  
for they are committed to your charge  
Keep them therefore still occupied,  
in doing your business.  
Or else in reading or hearing  
some books of Godliness.  
And would god the magistrates  
would see men set a work,  
And that within this realm  
none were suffered to lurk.  
This realm hath three commodities  
woule, tin, and lead,  
Which being wrought with in the realm  
each man might get his bread.   

¶ Of inventors of strange news.  
SOme men do delight  
strange news to invent,  
Of this man's doing  
and that man's intent.  
What is done in France  
and in the emperors land,  
And what things the Scotes  
are now taking in hand.  
What the king and his counsel,  
do intend to do,  
Though for the most part  
it be nothing so.  
Such men cause the people  
that else would be still,  
To murmur and grudge  
which thing is very ill.  
Yea, 
We saw the experience of this of late.  sometime they cause  
the people to rise,  
And assemble themselves  
in most wicked wise.  
In Plato his common wealth  
such men should not dwell,  
For Poets and Orators  
he did expel.  
Oh that these news bringers  
had for their reward,  
New halters of hemp  
to set them forward.   

¶ Of Lay men that take tithes, and priests that use their tithes privately.  
When justice began  
in judgement to sit,  
To punish all such men  
as faults did commit.  
Than was there a man  
before her accused,  
For tithes that he took,  
and privately used.  
When due proof was had  
and the thing manifest,  
The witnesses sworn,  
and the trespass confeste.  
Then gave the judge judgement  
and these words he spoke  
see that from this Caitiff  
all his goods ye take.  
For seeing he made that private  
that common should be,  
He shall have this justice  
by the judgement of me.  
Those poor men that by the tithes  
should be relieved  
Shall have all his goods  
among them divided.  
And because he showed no mercy,  
no mercy shall he have, 
jacob. two.   
The sentence is given,  
go hang up the slave.   

Of Leasemongers.  
OF late a Leasemonger  
of London lay sick,  
And thinking to die  
his conscience did him prick.  
Wherefore he said thus  
with himself secretly,  
I will s●nd for a preacher  
to know what remedy.  
But whiles he thus lay  
he fell in a slumber,  
And saw in his dream  
poor folk a great numbered.  
Who said they had learned this,  
at the preachers hand,  
To pay all with patience  
that their landlords demand.  
For they for their sufferance  
in such oppression,  
Are promised reward  
in the resurrection.  
Where such as take leases  
themselves to advance,  
Are certain to have hell,  
by right inheritance.   

Of Merchants.  
IF Merchants would meddle,  
with merchandise only,  
And leave farms to such men  
as must live thereby.  
Then were they most worthy  
to be had in price,  
As men that provide us,  
of all kinds merchandise.  
But sith they take farms  
to let them out again,  
To such men as must have them  
though it be to their pain.  
And to levy great fines  
or to over the rent,  
And purchase great lands  
for the same intent:  
We must needs call them  
members unprofitable,  
As men that would make  
all the realm miserable.  
How they leave of their trade  
and lend out their money  
To young Merchant men  
for great usury,  
Whereby some young men  
are driven to leave all,  
And do into most extreme  
poverty fall:  
It grieveth me to write,  
but what remedy?  
They must hear their fault  
sith they be so greedy.  
And thus I say to them  
and true they shall it find,  
The Lord will have all  
their ill doings in mind.  
And at the last day  
when they shall arise.  
All shall be laid plain  
before their own eyes.  
Where judgement shall be given  

jacob. two.  as saint james doth witness.  
without all mercy,  
to such as be merciless.   

¶ Of men that have divers offices  
When the City of Rome  
was ruled aright,  
As ancient authors  
do record and write  
Ambition was punished  
with utter exile  
Yet were there some that did  
venture some while.  
But we read not of any  
that ever went about,  
To have two offices at once  
were they never so stout.  
But alas in this Realm  
we count him not wise,  
That seeketh not by all means  
that he can devise.  
To rack offices together  
without any stay,  
But Christ shall say to these men  
at the last day.  
give accounts of your Baliwickes'  
ye men without grace, 
Luke. xvi   
Ye that sought to be rulers  
in every place.  
give accounts of your Baliwike  
for come is the day,  
That ye must leave your offices  
and walk your father's way.   

Of Nice wives.  
THe son of sirach  
of women doth say, 
Eccl. xxvi   
That their niceness & hordom  
is perceived alway.  
By their wanton looks  
and lifting up of eyes,  
And their looking ascoye  
in most wanton wise.  
And in the same  
jesus sirach I find  
That the gate and the garment 
Eccle. xi   
do declare the mind.  
If these things be true,  
as no doubt they be.  
What should we think of the women  
that in London we see?  
For more wanton lokis,  
I dare boldly say.  
Were never in jewish whores,  
then in London wines this day  
and if the gate and the garmentis,  
do show any thing.  
Our wives do pass their whoris,  
in whorlyke decking.  
I think the abominable,  
whores of the stews  
Did never more whorelyke,  
attyerments use.  
A cap on her head,  
like a sows maw.  
Such an other fashion,  
I think the jew, never saw.  
Then fine gear on the forehead,  
set after the new tryk.  
Though it cost a crown or two.  
what then? they may not stick.  
If their heir will not take colour  
then must they by new.  
And lay it out in tussockis,  
this thing is to true.  
At each side a tussocke,  
as big as a ball.  
A very fair sight  
for a fornicator bestial,  
Her face fair painted,  
to make it shine bright.  
And her bosom all bare,  
and most whorelyke dight.  
Her middle braced in,  
as small as a wand:  
And some buy wastes of wire  
at the passed wives hand.  
A bumbe like a barrel  
with whoops at the skirt,  
Her shoes of such stuff  
that may touch no dirt.  
Upon her white fingers  
many rings of gold,  
With such manner stones  
as are most dearly sold.  
Of all their other trifles  
I will say nothing,  
least I have but small thanks  
for this my writing.  
All modest Matrons  
I trust will take my part,  
As for nice whippers words  
shall not come nigh my heart.  
I have told them but truth  
let them say what they will,  
I have said they be whore like  
and so I say still.   

Of Obstinate Papists  
AN obstinate papist  
that was sometime a Friar  
Had of his friars cote  
so great a desire.  
That he stolen out of England  
and went to Louayne.  
And gate his friars cote  
on his fools back again.  
A wilful Beggar  
this papist will be.  
A fool and a friar,  
and thus is one man three.  
Would god all the papistis,  
that he left behind.  
Where with him in fries cotis,  
according to their kind.  
Or else I would they were,  
with their father the pope.  
For whilst they be in England,  
they do but live in hope.  
And except they might get,  
the Bible book burned.  
Into despair their hope,  
will shortly be turned.  
God grant them the grace  
this hope to forsake,  
And their natural prince  
for their head to take.  
Forsaking the Pope,  
with all his peltrye:  
Which of long time  
they have set so much by.   

Of rent raysers.  
A Man that had lands  
of ten pound by year  
Surveyed the same  
and let it out dear.  
So that often pound  
he made well a score,  
More pounds by the year  
than other did before.  
But when he was told  
what danger it was  
To oppress his tenants  
he said he did not pass.  
For this thing he said  
full certainly he wist,  
That with his own he might,  
always do as he list.  
But immediately I trow  
this oppressor fell sick:  

Luke. xvi  Of a voice that he heard  
give accounts of your Baliwicke.   

Of Vain writers, vain talkers and vain hearers.  
OF late as I lay  
and lacked my rest,  
At such time as Titan  
drew fast to the east.  
This saying of Christ  
came into my mind,  
Which certain and true  
all manner men shall find.  
Of every idle word  
ye shall give a reckoning. 
Mat. xii.   
Be it spoken by mouth,  
or put in writing.  
O Lord (thought I then)  
what case be they in,  
That talk and write vainly  
and think it no sin?  
Than slumbered I a little  
and thought that I saw,  
Three sorts of vain men  
condemned by god's law.  
The one was a writer  
of things nought and vain.  
And an other a talker  
and this was their pain.  
The writer had the crown  
of his head opened,  
Whose brains with a stick  
the talker stirred.  
And he with both hands  
drew the talkers tongue,  
so that without his mouth  
it was an handful long.  
The third was an herkener  
of fables and lies,  
Whose ears were almost  
drawn up to his eyes.   

Of unsatiable purchasers.  
AN unreasonable rich man  
did ride by the way,  
Who for lack of men  
had with him a boy.  
And as he paste by a pasture  
most pleasant to see,  
Of late I have purchased  
this ground jacke, quoth he,  
Marry master (quoth the boy)  
men say over all,  
That your purchase is great  
but your household is small.  
Why jacke (quoth this rich man)  
what have they to do?  
Would they have me to purchase  
and keep great house to? 
Luk. xiiii   
I can not tell (quoth the boy)  
what maketh them to brawl.  
But they say that ye purchase  
the Devil, his dame and all.   

Of Usurers.  
A Certain man had lands  
little though it were,  
And yet would feign have lived  
like a gentleman's pear.  
Of this land he made sale  
and took ready gold,  
And let that for double the rent  
of the land that was sold.  
Than came there a broker,  
and said if he would do:  
As he would advise him,  
he should make of one penny two.  
Marry that would I fain do  
(quoth this usurer than)  
I pray the teach me  
the feat if thou can.  
You shall (said this broker)  
lend but for a months day:  
And be sure of  
a suffitiente gage alway.  
With a plain bill of sale  
if the day be not kept,  
And see that ye do  
no causes accept.  
Than must you be sure  
that your interest be  
One penny for a shilling  
and three pence for three.  
So by the years end  
twelve months give twelve pens  
For the use of a shyllinge  
lo I have told you all sens.  
Than said this usurer  
this matter goeth well,  
For my twenty pound land  
that I chanced to sell.  
I shall have four hundred  
pound rent by the year,  
To live like a Lord  
and make jolly cheer.  
Than came there a Prophet  
and told this man plain  
That heaven is no place, 
Psal. xv.   
for such unlawful gain.  
Why sir (quoth this Usurer)  
it is my living,  
Yea sir (quoth this Prophet)  
but it is not your calling.  
You are called to live  
after twenty pound by year,  
And after that rate  
ye should measure your cheer.  
Till god did increase you  
by his merciful ways,  
By increasing your corn  
and your cattle in the leyes.  
Which increase with your lands  
you are bound to employ,  
To the profit of all them  
that do dwell you buy.  
Ye are not borne to yourself  
neither may you take  
That thing for your own  
where of God did you make.  
But steward and Bailiff  
that shall yield a reckoning,  
At the day of judgement,  

Luke. xvi  for every thing.  
And do ye not doubt  
but than ye shall know,  
Whether ye may your goods  
at your pleasure bestow.  
And whether ye may use  
ways wicked and ill,  
To increase your riches  
at your own will.  
But chiefly to lend  
your goods to usury,  
Is a thing that you shall  
most dearly abye.  
For Christ saith in Luke  
that the Heathen do so,  

Luke. vi.  Take heed lest ye flit  
from pleasure to woe.  
Finis.