Bloody news from Germany or the people's misery by famine,  
Being an example of God's just judgement on one Harto a Noble man in Germany of the town of Ments who when the people were decayed (by reason of a hard famine) he gathered the poorer sort into a Barn, and burned them (saying these are but as Rats that eat up all and do nothing else) but the all seeing God left not this wickedness unpunished; for he was so sore beset and beat with Rats, that his Castle's top was never after free of them, and at last devoured by them.  
Tune of, Chievy Chose.  
 

WHen as my mind was fully bend  
some story for to rhyme,  
Amongst all others none I found  
so fitting for the time,  
That which hereafter you shall hear  
may well compared be,  
Unto a Song of joyful news  
in pain and misery.   

Some write of Cupid and his bow  
with arrows sharp and kéen,  
To pierce the tender hearts of them  
that are but young and green,  
Another loves of War to prate  
which is by Weapons done,  
And acted is by Sea and Land  
by Ship and roaring Gun.   

Another saith he was in love  
once with a dainty Maid,  
But now he hates her cruelty  
when's got her maidenhead,  
Another muse with Hand and Pen  
describes a bawdy rhyme,  
But I will tell by true report  
what's done in former time.   

One Harto that in Mentz did dwell  
a Clergy Man was he,  
In that same Town Arch Bishop was  
of famous Germany.  
His charity was too to cold  
and nothing did abound,  
He to the poor a Miser was  
which made a rumour sound.   

Now in his days there happened  
a famine on the earth  
And after that there did ensue  
a very pinching dearth  
This cruel man began to think  
he wanted his revenue,  
And many a Noble Man there was  
that was not worth a penny.   

He sent for all the Beggars round  
and put them in a Barn,  
And set them all in order straight  
as though he meant no harm,  
He sent his servants fire to bring  
for quickly they should burn,  
They with a howling noise cried out  
and dolefully did mourn.   

What ail the men (quoth he at length)  
like Rats and Mice you be  
That eat up all my sustenance  
and nothing give to me,  
When all my friends through famine want  
and are gone to decay  
Why should I give you any more  
but burn you quite away.   

These harmless men he put to death  
as Cain with Able did  
But from the Lord full true it is  
there's nothing can be hid:  
Their blood did call unto the Lord  
out of the ground and dust  
The Lord he hard attentively  
In judgement pure and just.   

He burned them all both young and old  
both man and Wife likewise,  
He spared none nor did respect  
the foolish or the wise,  
For why his mind was satisfied  
and bloody mind content,  
To see them all thus on a flame  
though others did lament.   

Yet God above did not forget  
this wicked unjust deed,  
For after that from Rats and mice  
he never could be freed,  
his Castles top no service did  
no Cats nor cruel Dogs,  
For why they came abundantly  
much like the Egyptian Frogs.   

They wasted all his cash and pelf  
which he laid up in store,  
Tho he so surely locked up  
by dozen and by score,  
These Vermin so did multiply  
increasing day by day,  
They haunted all the rooms about  
the Chamber where he lay.   

Nay more than that himself was sl●ain  
as he lay on his Bed,  
And when his Fri●nds all did come in  
they found him to be dead,  
Thus God did punish him at length  
That was so bad and cruel,  
he put their Bodies in the fire  
and used them for fuel.   

And they did gnaw his Coat of Arms  
out of the graven Stone,  
and ever where they found his name  
of Letters they left none,  
This I do wish may be a guide  
to them that are so high,  
That never think upon the poor  
that are in misery.   

Nay were it but that they were so  
like Niggard's in their Wealth,  
So they would not defraud the poor  
or put them unto death,  
Wherefore let all with one accord  
think good for to amend,  
So shall my Pen begin to rest  
and lastly make an end.    

Printed for Philip Books by near the Hospital gate.