And th’Romish rites, that with a cleerer sight The wisest thought they iustly did reiect, They after saw that the receiued light, Not altogether free was from defect, Mysterious things being not conceiued right, Thereof bred in the ignorant neglect, For in opinion something short doth fall, Wants there haue been, and shall be still in all. 98. But negligent securitie and ease Vnbridled sensualitie begat, That only sought his appetite to please, As in the midst it of abundance[2090] sat, The church not willing others should her praise That she was leane, when as her lands were fat, Her selfe to too much libertie did giue, Which some perceiu’d that in those times did liue. 99. _Pierce_ the wise plowman, in his vision saw Conscience sore hurt, yet sorer was affraid The seuen great sins to hell him like to draw, And to wise clergie mainly cri’d for aid: Falne ere he wist, whom perill much did awe, On vncleane priests whil’st faintly he him staid, Willing good clergie t’ease his wretched case, Whom these strong giants hotly had in chase. 100. Clergie call’d friers, which neere at hand did dwell, And them requests to take in hand the cure, But for their leechcraft that they could not well, He listed not their dressing to endure, When in his eare need softly him did tell (And of his knowledge more did him assure) They came for gain, their end which they did make, For which on them the charge of soules they take. 101. And voluntarie pouertie profest, By food of angels seeming as to liue: But yet with them th’accounted were the best That most to their fraternitie doe giue, And beyond number that they were increas’d: “If so,” quoth Conscience, “thee may I beleeue, Then t’is in vaine more on them to bestow, If beyond number like they be to grow.” 102. The frier soone feeling Conscience had him found, And hearing how hypocrisie did thriue, That many teachers euery where did wound, For which Contriton miserably did grieue: Now in deceit to shew himselfe profound, His former hopes yet lastly so reuiue Gets the pope’s letters, whereof he doth shape Him a disguise from conscience to escape. 103. And so towards goodly vnitie he goes, A strong-built castle standing very hie, Where Conscience liu’d to keepe him from his foes, Whom, lest some watchfull centinell should spie, And him vnto the[2091] garrison disclose, His cowle about him carefully doth tie, Creepes to the gate, and closely thereat beate, As one that entrance gladly would intreate. 104.