But O noble Doctours, that worthy ar of name: Consyder our olde faders: note wel theyr diligence: Ensue ye theyr steppes: obtayne ye such fame, As they dyd lyuynge: and that by true Prudence. Within theyr hartys they planted theyr scyence And nat in plesaunt bokes. But nowe to fewe suche be. Therefore in this Shyp let them come rowe with me. THE ENUOY OF ALEXANDER BARCLAY TRANSLATOUR EXORTYNGE THE FOLES ACCLOYED WITH THIS VICE TO AMENDE THEYR FOLY. Say worthy doctours and Clerkes curious: What moueth you of Bokes to haue such nomber. Syns dyuers doctrines throughe way contrarious. Doth mannys mynde distract and sore encomber. Alas blynde men awake, out of your slomber And if ye wyl nedys your bokes multyplye With diligence endeuer you some to occupye. * * * * * Of euyl Counsellours, Juges and men of lawe. [Illustration: He that Office hath and hyghe autorite. To rule a Royalme: as Juge or Counsellour Which seynge Justice, playne ryght and equyte Them falsly blyndeth by fauour or rigour Condemnynge wretches gyltles. And to a Transgressour For mede shewinge fauour. Suche is as wyse a man As he that wolde seeth a quycke Sowe in a Pan.] Right many labours nowe, with hyghe diligence For to be Lawyers the Comons to counsayle. Therby to be in honour had and in reuerence But onely they labour for theyr pryuate auayle. The purs of the Clyent shal fynde hym apparayle. And yet knowes he neyther lawe good counsel nor Justice. But speketh at auenture: as men throwe the dyce. Suche in the Senate ar taken oft to counsayle With Statis of this and many a other region. Whiche of theyr maners vnstable ar and frayle Nought of Lawe Ciuyl knowinge nor Canon. But wander in derknes clerenes they haue none. O noble Rome thou gat nat thy honours Nor general Empyre by suche Counsellours. Whan noble Rome all the worlde dyd gouerne Theyr councellers were olde men iust and prudent Whiche egally dyd euery thynge descerne Wherby theyr Empyre became so excellent But nowe a dayes he shall haue his intent That hath most golde, and so it is befall That aungels worke wonders in westmynster hall. There cursyd coyne makyth the wronge seme right The cause of hym that lyueth in pouertye Hath no defence, tuycion, strength nor myght Suche is the olde custome of this faculte That colours oft cloke Justyce and equyte None can the mater fele nor vnderstonde Without the aungell be weyghty in his honde Thus for the hunger of syluer and of golde Justyce and right is in captyuyte And as we se nat gyuen fre, but solde Nouther to estates, nor sympell comonte And though that many lawyers rightwysnes be Yet many other dysdayne to se the ryght And they ar suche as blynde Justycis syght