For-thi I lere yow, lordes, Leveth swiche werkes; To writen in wyndowes Of youre wel dedes, Or to greden after Goddes men Whan ye dele doles, On aventure ye have youre hire here, And youre hevene als. 1500 _Nesciat sinistra quid faciat dextra._ Lat noght thi left half Late ne rathe Wite what thow werchest With thi right syde; For thus by the gospel Goode men doon hir almesse. Maires and maceres, That menes ben bitwene The kyng and the comune 1510 To kepe the lawes, To punysshe on pillories And pynynge-stooles, Brewesters and baksters, Bochiers and cokes, For thise are men on this molde {48} That moost harm wercheth To the povere peple That percel-mele buggen; For thei enpoisone the peple 1520 Pryveliche and ofte, Thei richen thorugh regratrie, And rentes hem biggen, With that the povere peple Sholde putte in hire wombe. For toke thei on trewely, Thei tymbred nought so heighe, Ne boughte none burgages, Be ye ful certeyne. Ac Mede the mayde 1530 The mair hath bi-sought Of alle swiche selleris Silver to take, Or presentz withouten pens, As pieces of silver, Rynges or oother richesse, The regratiers to mayntene; "For my love," quod that lady, "Love hem echone, And suffre hem to selle 1540 Som del ayeins reson." Salomon the sage A sermon he made, For to amenden maires And men that kepen lawes; And tolde hem this teme, That I telle thynke, _Ignis devorabit tabernacula eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera, etc._ 1550 {49} Among thise lettrede leodes This Latyn is to mene, That fir shal falle and brenne Al to bloo askes The houses and homes Of hem that desireth Yiftes or yeres-yeves By cause of hire offices. The kyng fro the conseil cam, And called after Mede, 1560 And of sente hire as swithe With sergeauntz manye, And broughte hire to boure With blisse and with joye. Curteisly the kyng thanne Comsed to telle, To Mede the mayde He meveth thise wordes, "Unwittily, womman, Wroght hastow ofte, 1570 Ac worse wroghtestow nevere Than tho thow Fals toke. But I forgyve thee that gilt, And graunte thee my grace; Hennes to thi deeth day Do so na-moore. "I have a knyght Conscience, Cam late fro biyonde; If he wilneth thee to wif, Wiltow hym have?" 1580 "Ye, lord," quod that lady, "Lord forbede it ellis! But I be holly at youre heste, Lat hange me soone." {50} And thanne was Conscience called To come and appere Bifore the kyng and his conseil, As clerkes and othere.