Nor ought cald mine or thine: thrice happie then Was the condition of mortall men. 150 That was the golden age of Saturne old, But this might better be the world of gold; For without golde now nothing wilbe got. Therefore, if please you, this shalbe our plot: We will not be of anie occupation; 155 Let such vile vassalls, borne to base vocation, Drudge in the world and for their living droyle, [_Droyle_, moil] Which have no wit to live withouten toyle. But we will walke about the world at pleasure, Like two free men, and make our ease our treasure. Free men some beggers call; but they be free; 161 And they which call them so more beggers bee: For they doo swinke and sweate to feed the other, [_Swinke_, toil.] Who live like lords of that which they doo gather, And yet doo never thanke them for the same, 165 But as their due by nature doo it clame. Such will we fashion both our selves to bee, Lords of the world; and so will wander free Where so us listeth, uncontrol’d of anie. Hard is our hap, if we, emongst so manie, 170 Light not on some that may our state amend; Sildome but some good commeth ere the end.” Well seemd the Ape to like this ordinaunce: Yet, well considering of the circumstaunce, As pausing in great doubt awhile he staid, 175 And afterwards with grave advizement said: “I cannot, my lief brother, like but well [_Lief_, dear.] The purpose of the complot which ye tell; For well I wot (compar’d to all the rest Of each degree) that beggers life is best, 180 And they that thinke themselves the best of all Oft-times to begging are content to fall. But this I wot withall, that we shall ronne Into great daunger, like to bee undonne, Thus wildly to wander in the worlds eye, 185 Withouten pasport or good warrantye, For feare least we like rogues should be reputed, And for eare-marked beasts abroad be bruted. Therefore I read that we our counsells call How to prevent this mischiefe ere it fall, 190 And how we may, with most securitie, Beg amongst those that beggars doo defie.” “Right well, deere gossip, ye advized have,” Said then the Foxe, “but I this doubt will save: For ere we farther passe, I will devise 195 A pasport for us both in fittest wize, And by the names of souldiers us protect, That now is thought a civile begging sect. Be you the souldier, for you likest are For manly semblance, and small skill in warre: 200 I will but wayte on you, and, as occasion Falls out, my selfe fit for the same will fashion.” The pasport ended, both they forward went; The Ape clad souldierlike, fit for th’intent, In a blew iacket with a crosse of redd 205 And manie slits, as if that he had shedd Much blood throgh many wounds therein receaved,