The debate betweene Pride and Lowlines, pleaded to an issue in assise and hovve a iurie vvith great indifferencie being impannelled, and redy to haue geuen their verdict, were straungely intercepted, no lesse pleasant then profitable. F.T. Seene, and allowed.

MEN talken diuersly concernyng dreames , Some say they come of causes naturall : Of cholers , melancholies , blood , and fleames , And béen such as their cause materiall . Some say they come of superfluitie , That any wight hath take of meate or drinke : Engendring in the head fumositie , Whyle thyther from the stomake they doo swynk . And therefore doo distinguishe of the time , When they appeare , yf in the latter sléepe : The more remarkable they them define , If in the fyrst they take the lesser keepe . Some holden that they come of loue or feare , Which any wight by day time hath icaught : To thing or place , and wisheth to be there , And this is deepe imprinted in the thought . And so sayth Cato in his litle booke , And therewith dooth their credit elleuate : As thing whereof , but small regard he tooke , All for the cause ye heard me tell of late . Others them holden significatife , Of trueth not to be vilypended : As messages to men of death or life , How things begoon are likely to be ended . Now whether this come of perfection , Which God hath geuen to the soule of man : Such prouidence and such direction , By proper kynde when he him first began . Me thinke to iudgen so were arrogance , As from the deitie to derogate : And man aboue his qualitie aduaunce , So making him forgetten his estate . And as it were a man to deifie , And to such ma●ters him to intromit : Whereof our God alone hath propertie , But as him pleaseth to reuealen it . And shewe to man by reuelation , Some matter straunge that he hath purposed : It were great wrong and vsurpation , To say that mans wit had it for warned . For proofe dooth shew that it is otherwyse , Namely for that we can not reade aryght : Th effect of them , ne in our hart comprise , Except that God haue put it in our might . And that by gyft and grace especiall , Such as he hath , but geuen vnto fewe : Who grew in princes fauours therewithal , For they such secrete matters coulde shewe . As Ioseph did to Pharao as we reade , And Daniel to Nabuchodonosor : Whose dreames were frightful & of myckel dreade , Therefore I thinke as I haue sayd before . That such béen rare and very speciall , And vnto such as God before dooth warne : Of his intent , and things that wyl befall , Concerning dearth or cheape , goodnesse or harme . This gather I by Saul in holy booke , Now fallen into miseries extreame : He deemed that of God he was forsooke , For he appeared not to him in dreame . Ne other vision as saith the storie , Wherefore he thought his life in distresse : But yet for to relieue his hart full sorie , He asked counsel at the Phitonesse . As in that booke is to be read at length , And many a matter after and before : Concerning dreames , their vertue & their strength Thereof as nowe ye get of me no more . But thus much I haue said for this respect That dreames though some be vaine & of no force Yet are there some that bringen their effect , And would of men be waied any remors . Now hauing oft spoken of their efficacie , And of their cause as much as I can tell : From thence to other matters I wyll passe , To shewe not long agoe what me befell . And namely in this moneth of May , The time I doo remember very well : For it was iust vpon the sixtéenth day , And eyght a clock had rong S. Pulchres bell . Mée thought the weather was not very calme , For it had raigned al the day beforn : Wherefore I tooke my booke and red a Psalme , And bad my host good night vntil the morne So when I had mée shrowded in my bed , And thanked God for graces manifold : Full soone had sleepe icaught mée by the head , And Straightly with his armes he can me fold . This pleasaunt sleepe , this gentle creature , Nurs of disgestion to man and beast : Withouten whom none of both can endure , Of no degrée from greatest to the least . But now to tellen thée my chéefe purpose , That hath mée caused all this thing to write : And orderly the same for to disclose , And all the circumstances to endite . By that time I had slept an houre or lesse , I gan to dreame so woonderfull and straunge : As but a fewe haue done before I gesse , Ne yet in sléepe so farre dyd euer raunge . Mée thought that I was walking in a Parke , Amyd the wooddes among the pleasaunt leaues : Where many was the bird did swéetly carpe , Emong the thornes , the bushes , and the greues . Whiche in my hart dyd kindle such desyre , To heare their songes , their myrth , and melodie : So chaungeable as no hart could require , That sodenly mée thought , Lord where am I. Besides the stately trées which to behold , With bodyes straight vpryght and of such length : As skant ye would beleeue mee yf I told , Ne of their bulke for timber and their strength . By that time I had walked there a whyle , About a quarter of an houre foorth right : I thinke a litle more then halfe a mile , Of pleasaunt féeldes I gan to haue a sight . So paynted and so coloured I wéene , As by her leaue , and with her pacience : Nas Floras land , that fresh & lusty quéene , Ne with such verdure , and such redolence . This ( may ye ihinke ) me seemed very straunge , And so it dyd , I put you out of doubt : I could not satisfie mee selfe to raunge , These pleasaunt feelds , & medowes round about . Till at the last I came into a dale , Amid two mighty hils on eyther side : From whence a sweete streame downe dyd auale , And cleare as Christal through the same did slide . Whiche to behold I had such great pleasure , That power had I none from thence to goe : Consydered also that I had leasure , And in such place had neuer béen or thoe . Till at the last as I stood by this brooke , And on these matters mused in my minde : I chaunced vp the hil to cast my looke , If happyly some people I might finde . And sodenly mée thought I had espied , A thing come downe the hilward toward me : But not on foote , ne yet on horse dyd ryde , Which mee thought very strange there for to see . And it beheld with full and whole intent , Howe downeward al at ease it helld the way : I mused not a litle what it ment , When of the hill it passed had the sway . I did perceyue then what it was in deede , That is to weete a goodly veluet bréech : Which in it furniture dyd so excéede , As hardly shal ye finde yf that ye seech . For it was all of veluet very fine , The neather stockes of pure Granado silke : Such as came neuer vpon legges of myne , Their cooller cleane contrary vnto mylke . This bréech was paned in the fayrest wyse , And with right satten very costly lyned : Embrodered according to the guise , With golden lace ful craftely engined . So when they were come downe beneath the hill , Into the valley whereas I dyd stand : I them beheld and looked on my fill , But ●old somuch as touche them with my hand . For strange mée thought from whence they shoulde be Some body wyl come after them anone : Wherefore I wyl attende ( thought I ) to see , For woonder is if such things been alone . Then to that other hill I cast myne eye , Whyle I was musing as I haue ye told : And sodenly ( mee thought ) I dyd espie , That euen as the veluet breeches rold . There came another paire , but softer pase , And neuer ceased rolling tyll they came : Into the dale , and there had taken place , Now listen , for me thought this litle game . These bréeches I did bound on eyther side , As one that was in middle them betweene : These last were but of cloth withouten pride , And stitche ne gard vpon them was to séene . Of cloth ( I say ) both vpper stocke and neather , Paned and single lyned next to the thie : Light for thée were , méete for al sort of weather , Nowe paraduenture ye wyl thinke I lye . Then veluet breeches dyd begyn to say , To them of cloth , as ye shall after here : But lest ye maruayle how and by what way , These things dyd speake , that neuer speaken ere . ●e wot it is a dreame that I you tell , Whose demonstrations are very darke : And yet vnto the trueth accorden well , Admitted as they must be , therefore harke . The dreame of seuen blasted eares of corne , Which Pharao the kyng sawe whyle he slept : Deuoure the seuen good eares them beforn , Were straunge as this , & yet their promise kept . And eke the seuen kine that were so leane And euyl fauoured as they might bée : The seuen fat kyne dyd eate vp cleane , What likely hood of trueth was there to sée . And many other thinges that séeme vntrue , In figures , and in vncooth termes of speache : Haue béen and wyl , this matter is not newe , For diuers béen the wayes and meanes to teache . Wherefore to turne agayne where I dyd leaue , And of my dreame the whole effect to tell : In naked woordes and easie to perceiue , And euery thing and matter as they fell . Vp stoode this veluet bréeche of which I sayde , And spake to them of cloth in great disdayne : Thou breeche of cloth , how art thou not afrayde , Of our displeasure to incurre the payne . That hast presumed here to take thy place , Without regard of vs or reuerence : But as it were to berd vs and to face , I hold it best for thee to get thee hence . The other at these woordes was not afeard , Ne chaunged collour ne yet countenaunce : And at the last to this effect answeard . Great were thy pride , yf thou had suffisaunce . I sée betwéene vs litle difference . Or none at all , saue only woorkmanship : Whereto yf there belong preeminence , Make thou no claime to thy mistres woorship . I meane the woorkman which thée garnished , With silke and golde , and with imbroderie : By meane whereof Pride hath thee rauished , To bost in things belonging not to thee . This mooued not the veluet bréech a lit , Thou beggers weede ( quoth he ) base and villayn : Ill can I take at thy hand such despit , And that to dooe thée force I mée refryan . How dare thou speake such language vnto mée , Thy better , and thy selfe with me compare : So farre inferiour in eche degree , As they that néere vs both , witnesses are . Besides that , I was borne in Italy , Sometime the mistres of the world so wide : Famous in learning and chiualry , As in this world there hath been none beside . Besides all that , my foote is woorth thy yard , So am I iolif fayre and precious : Where I am present , who dooth thée regard , Or thée vouchsafe to dwellen in his house . I let him in , for thée might stand without , Am bidden speake , when thou must hold thy peace : And many a matter dayly bring about , To hard for thee , therefore I redd thee cease . Nowe sure this gere is passing strange thought I , What ( trow I ) wil become betweene these twayn With that the breech of cloth gan to replie , And thus began his sentence for to saien . Whereas thou sayest I am inferiour , And vnto thee am nothing comparable : For thou doest serue the riche , and I the poore , That reason is both fals and deceauable . For yf that vertue and humanitie , Were tyed to riches or appropriate : As Pride and vices are most commonly , Then I ●old in this case with thée debate . But sith apparell dooth not him amend , That weareth it according to the cost : But only helpeth to consume and spend , The more is layd on thee , the more is lost . And where thou sayest thou art of Italy , Borne and bred in that noble region : Why liuest thou not at home in thy country , Woe woorth him brought thee fyrst to Albion . Which nowe of vs is called England , Where sometime I haue couered the best : And such as then were thought to vnderstand , Whose lyfe and maners vices did detest . For in thy countrey were thou not alone , Ne hast béen euer sithe thy dwellyng here : But art with many a vice wayted vpon , Which doo and haue done this land mickle déere . As for the learning and the chiualrie , Wherein thy countrey thou doost se commend : About thy comming into that country , Of both their dwelling there they made an end . And lost the diademe imperiall , Ne can it bold as their forefathers dyd : Loe what thou hast to bosten thee withall , They lost the landes their fathers conquerid . Whereas thou sayest thy foote is woorth my yard , That is vntrue , saue that for argument : Thinges are to man as he dooth them regard , And other reason none to myne intent . Whereas thou sayest that in thy presence , I am of no regarde ne countenaunce : That is a lye sauing your reuerence , Though with the fooles it often so doo chaunce . With that the veluet bréeches as mée thought , Began toward the other fast to roll : And surely but for mee they would haue fought , So I was faine the matter to controll . And spake vnto them both as ye shall heere , At least as I my selfe imagined : Nay freend ( quoth I ) ye shall doo him no déere , But eche of them sware other should be dead . Not so ( quoth I ) I know a better way , And more indifferent vnto you bothe : For when ye haue done eyther what ye may , Ye must be ruled be ye léefe or lothe . For here ye dwellen in a lande of peace , And vnder lawes , and vnder Magistrate : God graunt them in his graces to encrease , That enden wyll full iustly your debate . And I my selfe for better was in place , Though for my learnyng farre vnwoorthy : Towards the lawe these long xv . yéeres space , And thereof sworne to be an atturney . If I may pleaser you with my seruice , I am yours to commaund right as ye list : For doubt in lawe ye shall haue myne aduise , Till better come that wyl herein assist . For that I sée the matter is not small , Ne yet no trifle wherefore ye contend : One would fayne haue his owne , the other all , And herevpon the matter dooth depend . The one him bosteth of his woorthynesse , And of his natiue soyle where he was borne : And how that he hath rowm in throng and presse , Because that of the wealthy he is worne . The other sayth he is this countrey man , Here hath he dwelt and here led all his lyfe : And here wyll dwell say thother what he can , Nowe for to end all this debate and strife . And both your mindes therein to satisfy , The best is all your quarell and complaint : To haue heard and debated orderly , And eche man tell his tall without restraint . But howe so ye your selues doo estéeme , Ye are not Iudges thereof nor shal be : But twelue , or foure & twentie shal it déeme , And this is reasonable thynketh me . To tell your price and vertues ye haue leaue , And your effectes , your causes and your end : Which their well vnderstood wyl not deceaue , Nor suffer vs to erre as I entend . And for you veluet bréeches finde ye gréeued , And of this clothen bréech to haue had wrong : Ye may seeke orderly to be relieued , So wyll I doo ( quoth he ) or it be long . And make him yéeld to myne obeysaunce , And to confesse that he hath nothing here : But only at my wyll and sufferaunce , As I doubt not it plainely shall appere . The other saide , as for obeysaunce , He ought him none homage ne fealtie : All were his lookes bigge and his countenaunce , And fréendshyp great , all that ne doubted hee . His cause was good , his title auncestrell , For in this Countrey was he borne and bred : And but yf lawe sayd nay , here would he dwel , So then vnto them both I answeared . Sith eche of you dooth thinke he hath a right , And for to trye the same ye are so bent : Declare and bring your title into light , Trespasse or disseison of franke tenement . And shewe your title and whence ye deriue it . And yf ye thinke this good ye veluet bréeche : The clothe shall pleade ye non dissesimit , And thus without long circumstaunce of spéeche . Vpon this issue ye haue libertie , For proofe that he hath done ye disseason : To alledge what so ye can bethinke ye , And therein at our handes to aske for reason . He answerd , to be plentiffe in th assise , He thought not good , ne ment not so to be : And that it was not good I dyd aduise , A Iury may be perciall ( quoth he . ) For I am woorthyer by muche then he , For many causes that I can alledge : But yf they wyll séeme suche to the Countrie , I doubt , or of them yf they wyl take knowledge . For I am here a straunger in this lande , And saue of late yéeres of small acquayntaunce : The common people dooth not vnderstand , My woorthynesse , estate , ne countenaunce . My aduersarie is their countrey man , And is not so chargeable vnto them : Therefore wyll they doo for him what they can , But yf they were of Towne and Citizen . For of the hyndes or of the paysauntie , I feare I should not haue indifferents : For I know they beare no good wyll to me , Because my freendes their purses often rents . This doubt is vaine thereof assure yée , ( Quoth I ) for whom ye thinke not indifferent : Ye may may him chalenge from your Iury , And shewe your cause why from him ye dissent . And as that cause shall séeme allowable , By proofe or reason that ye for it make : It shal be holden acceptable , Thereafter to receyue or to forsake . Goe foorth therefore as ye began in order , Vntill ye come to matter issuable : Of all the which I shal be the recorder , And howe so it shal be determinable . To wit by Iury or by iudgement , I shall direct you by my skill : And to you both shal be indifferent , Nowe haue I sayd , truste me yf ye wyll . Your woordes ( quoth he ) dooth sound to reason , So I may haue my cause heard all at large : Let him pleade me null ne fort null disse●son , Enter my pleas where with I wyll him charge . For I am sure they wyl be sumwhat long , And so the Iury gladly wyl mée take : Or leaue some of my plea to doo me wrong , The other partie would it not forsake . But pleaded him the issue generall . And prayed as the other prayed before : To enter his matter especiall , One thing the veluet bréeches moued more . For who shall iudge our chalenges ( quoth he ) I answeard , yf it fall in learning , I : If not , ye shall haue triers two or thrée , That shall iudge of their indifferencie , I am content ( quoth he ) my chalenge saued , My matter shal be tryed by th assise : It is but right ( quoth I ) that ye haue craued , And foorth they went , as I shall you deuise . I meane the bréeche of cloth in his replie , And tooke his holde agayne whereas he left : Whereas thou sayest thou canst doo more then I. I knowe great is thy subteltie and craft . To let one in , where I can not doo so , And speake where I am hidden hold my peace : Full many a wight that woorketh mikell wo , When of their farme expired is their lease . In penall statute and concealed land , For so thou tearmest it for thyne encreas : Full hardly can the poore escape thy hand . That they ne finde thy lampe both oyle & greas . THus haue I answered ( quoth he ) thine argument , From point to point , that hast thou not ( qd , he : ) With that I looked vp and had a glent , Of one that came toward vs leasurely . Soft then ( quoth I ) ye be at a good point , Your pleas and answears I haue fully hard , Perchaunce an issue hereon may be ioynt , Whereon th assise foorthwith we may award . And here me thinke dooth come a gentleman , Whom if ye thinke as I haue thought it best : We wyll entreate by all the meanes we can , That he wyll be the foreman of the quest. Gladly quoth one , with good wyl quoth the other , By , then he was come néere , and bad god spéede , And we againe sayd , welcome gentle brother , Piked he was and handsome in his wéede . A faire blacke coate of cloth withouten sleue , And buttoned the shoulder round about : Of .xx. s. a yard as I beleeue , And layd vpon with parchment lace without . His dublet was of Sattin very fine , And it was cut and stitched very thick : Of silke it had a costly enterlyne . His shirt had hands and ruffe of pure Cambrick . His vpper stockes of sylken Grogerane , And to his hippes they sate full close and trym , And laced very costly euery pane , Their lyning was of Satten as I wyn . His neather stockes of silke accordingly , A veluet gyrdle rounde about his wast : This knight or squyre what so he be ( quoth I , ) We wyll empannell , let him not goe past . He condiscended soone to our request , Then I beholding him aduisedly : Sawe where a néedle sticked on his brest , And at the same a blacke thréed hanging by . So then I asked him of his estate , He said he was a Taylour by his art : All in good time ( quoth I ) here is debate , Which to appease I pray you doo your part . Here is a matter pleaded to enquest , Wherein it may please you to take some paine : Your wysedome may directen all the rest , I shall ye read it , euident and plaine . I challenge him then saith the clothen bréeche , Why so ( quoth I ) dooth be not make you both ? What then , his gayne by vs is not aléeche , Quoth he , and therewithal he swore an oath . He gayneth more by byeng silke and lase , Of golde and siluer and such trumperie : To welt , to edge , to garde , to stitche and face , By one of these , then .xv. payre of mée . In making mee , there is no gaine but one , Which is , for labour and for woorkmanship : Except sometime a péece of cloth come home , As yf that by mischaunce the shere did slip . Nowe is that trade become a marchandice , Wherein sith pride in peoples harts dooth raigne : So great hath been and is his exercise , That only God dooth knowe what is his gaine . And howe , though he thereof doo litle reck , So that to setten downe a bill of charge : There is no Auditor , ne Clarke of Check , Can penne it bett then he , ne more at large . So that I doubt of his indifference , As in that tryall here betwéene vs twayne : Lest for him he would straine his conscience , I see this worlde is set to folowe gayne . I Sayd , all this might come of good intent , And for to punishe pride as he was able : Then were no reason for it he were shent , For he nys Officer , ne Constable . Nor otherwyse set in aucthoritie , To execute the statute of aurai : Then how to punishe them supposeth he , The best meane for their pride to make them pay . And aske for silke , for lase , and other stuffe , To face and lyne without side and within : Twyse as much at the least as were inoffe , And kéepe the third part , and the rest put in . And reache them with a bill of reckening , Shal make them scrat wheras it itcheth nought : If this may be a necessarie thing , Then of this chalenge well aduise we ought . For although som through pride thus down are cast And waste their liuing that their freends them laft : Yet others by their meanes aryse as fast , Som by their cunning , & some by their craft . Wherefore the cause shalben examined , By tryors whom we wyll choose for that end : To try them or they béen empanelled , They were content both , and did condiscend . Wherefore I prayed hym to stand a side , And watche yf any other cam that way : Lest of vs they escaped vnespied , He was contented with all that I dyd say . WIth that the veluet bréeches had me staien , Our issue is not perfect yet ( quoth he : ) I haue much other matter for to saien , Say on ( quoth I ) you haue good libertie . With that he gan to stretchen and to stare , And sayd that he dyd suffer villany : That such a Caytiue should with him compare . A Carters wéede , and meete for husbandry . For who would set his sonne to schoole quoth he , To studie scripture , phisicke , or the lawe : But that he beareth good wyll vnto me , If otherwyse I hold him but a dawe . Sayeth not the prouerbe , honors norishe artes , Why trotten men so farre for marchandise : Who hath the credite at the faires and martes . Not he that commeth in a coate of fryse . What man or ladde is he that were not loth . In youth to trauell , and to faren harde : If he ne purposed to weare but cloth . In time to come , nor further dyd regarde . Hence rysen learned men in eche estate , Coonnyng in handy craft and facultie : And getten dignities of doctorate , Who is their marke , what shoot they at but me . I am the roote , th original of lawes , Whose learned mastes holden are in price : Vnto the simple folke I am the cause . That many a foole and dolt is holden wyse . Who dooth so sharpen correction as I , Vpon all such as doone the lawes offend : If thereto be annexed penalty , Of money that to mee thence may descend . That this is true and may not be denyed , I wyll auerte , and yf he it gayne say , I am content by verdict it be tryed . Then spake the bréech of cloth without delay . PRotesting alwayes that he dyd not iudge , Man , maide , ne wyfe by their array : Ne yet much lesse that euer he dyd grudge . Obseruing comelinesse yf they were gay . Namely , the circumstaunce obserued . The birth , the time , the place , or dignitie : Who hath of Prince or common wealth deserued , His weede of right may answear his degeée . Which matters although they béen to allow , With comelinesse for good and tollerable : Yet who ( sayth Christ ) him selfe dooth meeke & bow , Exalted shal he be and acceptable . Example he did make him selfe herein , Who thinking it no wrong ne robberie : With God the father equall for to byn , Was here in earth in all simplicitie . But for to followe him it were to muche , Or Iohn the Baptist with his coate of here : Yet may we shewe our selues to be suche , As more esteeme our bodyes then our gere . Namely our soules whiche are celestiall , Whose braue apparell and whose ornament : Whose diademe and crowne imperiall , Is hart that séeketh God with whole intent . But to the point , and for plea to the matter . Alledged for thy commendation , As they arysen this is myne answer , And fyrst thy vayne imagination . That thou art cause , that thou art finall end , Of learning , I ne thinke thée to be so : And that thou were , the liuing God defend , For sure thou were not in principio . Nor art among the godly at this day , Though with a number , I thinke it be true : No litle vnto vertues ruine and decay , Where it is so , the godly doon it rue . For where thou sayest , honor dooth norishe art , True honour I suppose thou neuer knewe : That iudgest it in arrogance of hart , In silke and veluet , and in outward shewe . The very baightes and lures of Satanas , Who for thy sake was throwen out of heauen : For the Nabuchodonosor eat grasse , And fed with Oxen well nigh yeeres seuen . Which is the honor man hath for thy sake , Hath béen and is and euermore shal be : Who Idols of their carcasses dooe make , Through foule presumption and vanitie . For he that thorow learning séeketh port , Ne maketh other purpose of the same : His learning puffeth him in such a sort , That oft in sted of honor he hath shame . NOwe for the marchaunt and his marchaundise , His credite in his mart and cheuisaunce : Thou geuest him to séeme both riche and wyse , Where through he bringeth many to mischance . Of this me néedeth litle for to speake , Sith I could know a peny from a grote : I knewe not many forced for to breake , If Pride ne made him or his wyfe a coate . And where thou sayest that man or boy were loth , In youth to trauell and to faren hard : Yes sure & God , there are that haue done both , And onely heauen hoped for reward . As for this world and her fickle glory . They haue estéemed it a thyng of nought : And for their neighbour , freend , and territory , Imployed haue their studie , care , and thought . I could reherse the stories many a one , Of Greekes and Romanes that are memorable : Though wormes some eat , their flesh so long ago●… , Yet are their names accompted venerable . But I nyl stay to recken them as nowe . How some arosen vnto counselshyp : And thereto weren called from the plow , When they thought nothing lesse then mastership . So that of woorship I dooe distinguishe , Some seeken it , and some of it are sought : And those are such as nothing lesse doo wishe , Some thinke with golde and siluer it is bought . Which maketh offices beare such a price , And that so gréedely they béen icaught : Before thy time men were not halfe so wyse , As sythen in thy schoole they haue béen taught . To bye and sellen offices for gaine , No question made of his woorthynesse : That shall them haue , but yf he may not paien , How so he powle and pill for his redresse . Then which of these thrée ( for there is but one ) Woorshyp in déede , and of right venerable : To vertue freend , to vice a deadly sone , I shall you tell as néere as I am able . The one dooth begge an office , to what end , For there are two as it is euident : Th effect wyll shewe whereto he dooth it bend . His chaunge of cheere , and eke his gouernment , The other byeth , payeth déere therefore , His meaning may be good , possible it is : But ( by your leaue ) twise as vnlike and more , And yet no rule so sure but it may misse . The thirde is called vtterly vnwitting , For whom spake neither siluer , golde , ne fréend : Thrise happy countrey where suche are sitting , Whom grace and vertue only doon commend . For there are trueth and mercie met togeather , And thither looketh ryghteousnesse from heauen : All were they cloth or veluet choose them whether , For pride ne shal their wits from them bereuen . THat thou art cause of art and faculty . Of handy craft which may not be forgon : Pride found them not fyrst but necessity , In déede thou hast corrupted them eche one . And caused them to béen adulterate , And chaunged cleane into another guise : Deceipt a Iorneyman with eche estate , Through whom they waxen riche , & séemen wyse , Which whyle I was in fauour might not be , The father was contented that his sonne : Should leade a lyfe such as before did he , And end in such estate as he begoon . Vnto the which small thing is requisite , I meane a godly minde to satisfie : Whereas to vanitie and foule delite . And Pride I dare affirme the contrary . To wyt , he wasteth much vnorderly , And of his cost and charge so small purpose : That of the good fewe faren bett thereby , For it is spent on vertues vtter foes . As dayly is to sée who lyst to looke , The Vsurer and eke Thextorcioner : Full sure they are , his name is in their booke , Vntill his house and land be come to their . Then come deuises , many a shamefull shift , To begge , to borowe , and to deceiue their freend : And many another lewde and preuie lyft , Tyll lastly foule and shamefull is the end : And where thou sayest thou art a punisher , Of sinne , it is full true I doo confesse : As thou hast sayd , and in such foorme order , Which is to robbe , to rauishe , and oppresse . And so farre from all collour to doo good , And further I dare safely vndertake : Then deuils to cast out through Beelzebub , No truer glose of that text can I make . Here are thy fruites by whiche ( as Christ doth say ) The trée is knowen for good or ill therefore : Of all these presence , iudgement I doo pray , And that I may haue right I aske no more . Nought séeke I for , superioritie , Ne thing of thyne , ne of none other man : To hold myne owne if I haue libertie , Though it be small right well content I am . WIth that I gan to speake vnto them both , Is this th effect of all ye haue to say ? Ye here is all then answeared he of cloth , The other held his peace , & sayd not nay . Your matters are iregestred quoth I , Euery plea and euery argument : Here is a paper witnesse wyll not lye , Nowe hearken if it pleas you myne intent . Ye are nowe come to master issuable , On eyther side as dooth appeare at large . And many poyntes therein are inquirable , Whereof the Iurie taken shall thee charge . As I shall reade it to them orderly , Wherfore vnto your chalenges be sure : Ye take good heede , that blamelesse I may be . Which must recorden here your procedure . They answered me both , they were content , With that mee thought I heard a company : That downe the hill vnto vswardhem bent , And comming neere they dyd vs curtesy . The formost weren thrée that went togeather , And eke in clokes they weren homely clad . Both plaine and light accordyng to the weather , And in their gesture sober , wyse , and sad . And Seruing men there wayted them vpon , Comely arayed , and in number eleuen : Fiue of the whiche were seruantes all to one , A knight as after I dyd apperceyuen . And namely , for they ware for cognisaunce , A Pecock ( as mée thought ) without a tayle : Not newe , ne yesterdayes remembraunce , What ware the rest my memory dooth faile . I could haue told ye euen at that tyme , For foure of them to one dyd apparteyne : Asquire of an auncient race and lyne , And to thirde a gentleman , but twayne . So when I sawe them doon vs curtesy , And bidden vs with gentle woordes god spéede : I answeard them agayne accordingly . And forward in this cause I dyd procéede . And tolde them what was fallen in debate , At wixt these paires of cloth and veluet bréeches : Concerning maintenance of their estate , Their matters , allegations , and spéeches . And prayed them of their humanitie , If they were such as veryly they séemed : To wyt , of knighthood and gentle progeny , By whom of right , such causes shoulde be déemed . As which concerned very gentillesse , Wherein in it stant what is thereof the roote : Ye shall doo God high seruice as I gesse , And to your countrey men no litle boote . The knight as he that gentle was of chéere , He answeared his learning was but small : But els herein his good wyll should appeere , Then afterward I vp and tolde him all . Howe that he should not béen alone him selue , Ne should aboue his learning haue in charge : For he should be the foreman of the twelue , And of their matter should enquire at large . And of such thinges as are in their knowledge , And of which no man can be ignoraunt : That liueth on this earth , I dare alledge , They were content all thrée , and didden graunt , Then came there other company apase , By two and two togeather , thrée and thrée : I sought to knowe some of them by their face , But I ne might , ne gesse what they should be . The fyrst thrée séemed for to béene of Towne , For they were handsomely apparelled : Eche of them in a very séemely gowne , The one a white knit cappe vpon his hed . His coate was faced with graie Coonie skinne , I iudged him a baker by his trade : As he confessed when I asked him , For of his language nothing straunge he made . Another was a Bruer by his art , The third a Vitayler , and did retaile : Bought by the barell , & sold by pinte & quart , And had his liuing by that trauayle . And were clothed after Citizen , Neither in slouenrie ne yet in pride : Ne had they terme of inkhorne ne of penne , But plaine in speache which gladly I espied . And after them there came all in a rowt , Sixtéene or seuenteene as I dyd gesse : All likely men , and neither knaue ne lowt , But chéefely two that came before the presse . One of them had a fiddle in his hand , And pleasaunt songes he played therevpon : To queynt and hard for me to vnderstand , If he were braue I make no question . Or yf his furniture were for the daunce , His bréeches great , full of ventositie : Deuised in the castle of playsaunce , And master of a daunsing schoole was he . The other was by trade a Vintener . That had full many a hoggeshed looked in . Trauayled he had and was a languager , His face was redd as any Cherubyn . A Spanishe cloke he ware fine with a cape . A sine Frenche cappe on his head accordyng : Both which vpon him faire and séemely sate , And one his finger ware a mightie ring . When they came néere , I asked what they were , For nought said they so much as once god speede : But to my question said the Tauerner , Answear they might , but therto lay no néede . But told me at the last of their degrée , As ye haue heard before then I them prayed : If they were suche as they would séeme to be , That in this matter we might haue their ayde . Yet was there one whom I had nigh forgot , And he was master of a dysing house : No woord had he , but pay the boxe and pot , So braue he was , that mée thought marueylous . The rest were people of the common sort , Of whom I tooke no héede especiall : Ne made enquirie of their liues or port , Saue seuen of the whiche tell you I shall . One of them ware a ierken made of kuffe , A mightie pouche of canuas at his belt : Wherein me thought there séemed to be stuffe , A faire cloke on his backe , & on his head a felt . Vpon his shoulder he bare a forrest Byll , I asked what he was , wherfore ( quod he ) Aske ye : Friend ( quod I ) for none yll , And told him as I told the rest perdye . But he made aunswere farre from my purpose , And asked me if I could tell of lease : Of pasture that was to be set or close , Now to beginne , or by some mans decease . Or office if I wyst any to sell , He had a sonne or twaine be would aduaunce : And sayd they should take paines vntyll it fell , He that wyll thriue ( quod he ) must tary chaunce . And marchaunt tarye for the market daye , On Gods name syr ( quod I ) yée saye full well : Then what he was , he tolde without delaye , To wytte a grasier , also where he dyd dwell . Another was there much of his entaile , Both for his gesture and his habilement : His handes were stained , both the skyn and naile , Full many peece of barke they hadden rent . He was in very déede a ritche Tanner , And asked where I thougvt he might purchase : Som great domayn , som Lordship , or som maner , But I rehersed to them both our case . And tolde them that of Lordships I ne knewe , Nor in such matters was inquisitiue : Who bought , who sould , syr Richard , or syr Hew , And from those purposes I dyd them driue . Besides all these a Bricklayer there was , A man right cunning in his facultie : He had hope build full many a statelye place , A trewell at his gyrdle weared hee . And in his hand he had a flat measure , Ywrought with figures of Arithmetick , Whereby his length and bredth he tooke full sure , And wisely couched both his stone and brick . Then was there yet another in a gowne , Of fine blacke cloth , and faced faire with budge : A blacke bagge from his girdle hung a downe , And full it was , wherewith I could not iudge . He gaue no worde , so much as once God spéede , I prayed him to tell vs what he was : Why so ( quod he ) therein lyeth no néede , I told him yes as thinges might come to passe . I am then an infourmer answered he , All in good time sir , and welcome quoth I : For we haue néede of suche men as are ye , We haue to fewe here of your facultie . That could infourme vs of the right vppon , A matter here before vs come to controuersed : Here is none learned but if I be one , And somwhat of the matter him rehersed . He aunswered that his experience , Was better then his learning a great deale : Namely in the Statutes of penitence , For in these and none others doth he deale . Then was there yet another whom I sée , Which stoode one of the hindmost of the route : For soft and no whit forthputting was hée , Full sunbrunt was his forehead and his soute . A man about a fiftie yéeres of age , Of Kendall very course his coate was made : My thought of truth his face was an Image , Vpon his gyrdle hong a rustye blade . Full simple was thereof both haft and sheath , A strawen batte he had vpon his head : The which his Chinne was fastened vnderneath , His chéekes dyd shew he earned well his bread . A payre of startvppes had he on his féete , That lased were vp to the small of the legge : Homelie they were , and easier then méete , And in their soles full many a woodden pegge . He had a shyrt of Canuas hard and tough , Of which the band and ruffes were both of one : So fyne that I might see his skinne them through , Which is as much to say as he had none . This was a husbandman , a simple hinde , Whome when I called had , and bad come néere : And of the matter told him all my minde , He aunswered with milde and gentle chéere . Syr ( quod he ) gladlye would I doon ye prowe , If in this matter I had halfe the skyll : That I haue in my harrow and my plowe , I pray ye of my wordes , to thinke none yll . I bad him not doubt therof , and told him more , He should haue fellowship and assistence : Lyke as ye had , ne tell the knight before : And of the matter certen euidence . Then was he well contented therewithall , Looke what is in my knowledge & my might : Helpe you ( quod he ) with all my hart I shall , Then on my matter further I gan me dight . To make them full , then found I other me , A Shoemaker , a Weauer , and a Smith : A Haberdasher of smale wares also , I now me thought to trie our matter with . For I remember not the certaintie , Of all the residue that weren there : Their names , their science , and their facultie , For haste also I nould of them enquere . But these vnto my pannell dyd I wryte And read their names , that euery man might here And not full fowre and twentie names recite , For sure I was twelue of them would appere . Then spake the parties vnto me and sayd , Them thought that som of these were chalengable : Whereof aduantage either of them praid , If any vpon cause they could disable . Reason ( quod I ) that was agréed vpon before , But who shall iudge and trye your challenges : Your selfe ( quod they ) no sure ( quod I ) therfore Appoint some other to that busines . Yea twoo or thrée thereto wyll scant suffice , To iudge of them and theyr indifference : For secréete cause of fauour maye arise . Which must be searched which great aduertence . By such as haue experience therein , And of aduersitye haue had theyr part : For who so beaten in the world hath bene , No further néede he take degrée of art . With that they were content and dyd agrée . To chose them tryers as I had thought méef : I asked them how many , they sayde thrée , In the name of God ( quod I ) so be it . Nowe did there in the place alreadie stand A woman well nigh fiftye yeres of age : A young boye and a young wench at her hand , Thinne was their weede and light their cariage . The woman and the wenche were clad in russet , Both course and olde , and worne so very neere : That ye might see cleane through both sléeue & gusset The naked skinne whereas it dyd appeere . Their hosen and their shooes were all of one , I meane both for the woorkmanshyp and leather : To wyt their skinnes , for other had they none , And chapped were they sore with wind & weather . With homely clouts I knitt vpon their head , Simple , yet white as thing so course might be : The boy much like them was apparelled , For hose ne shoe vpon his foote had he . With that I called them , and they came nere , And bad god spéede and saue the company : Then I did aske them , who and whence they were , They answeared me of the North country , In Comberland , as farre hence as Kendall , And Copie holders were of tenant right : I wotte not howe the Lorship they dyd call But hold they dyd by seruice of a knight . To serue the Prince at an howres warning , And asken neither wages , fée , ne hyre : Ne choise of time at midnight , or at morning , All were it raine or shine , in durt and myre . Nowe hath a churle ( quod they ) take it in leace , To wytte the Lordshyp with the perquisite : And for I we mought not pay our terme doth cease , So our inheritaunce haue losten quite . The company thought pitie this to héere , Alas , quod I , this is great crueltye : All gate I bad them all be of good cheere , And praye to God to send you remedye . And sith ye ben come hether at this time , I wyll not let you stand in ydelnesse : For ye shall haue the charge should haue ben mine , And méete are ye that haue ben in distresse . Which teacheth man to know the good from yll , And eke to trye a true friend from a shrow : Which vnto them that haue all thinges at wyll , And liue in welth is verye hard to know . With that I vp and told them all the case , Whereof before they hadden hard the chiefe : And that of no small credite was the place , Of truth and vertue for to maken pryef . They all alledged theyr simplicitie , So dyd the veluet breches them disable : And of their choyse misliked vtterlye , As them that were too vyle and miserable . To iudge in causes of such importaunce , For howe can it be possible ( quod he ) But they ben lewd and of great iguoraunce , And would in no case that it should so be . The breche of clothe sayd , that it was not so , They were right méete the challenges to trye : As symple folke were chosen long agoe , To greater charge , but if the byble lye . And is referred to the multitude , Who aunswered , they were not to refuse : So therevppon we dydden all conclude , Theyr seruice in this busines to vse . WEll then widow , quod I , and fatherlesse , Which both by god vnto vs are commended : Haue good regard vnto this businesse , Vntyll that with your helpe we haue it ended . For you can speake of your experience , That ye haue séene , felte , hard , and vnderstood : And of the passed gather consequence , And iudge betwéene the euill and the good . And if it fall in reason to decide , Morall decrée or constitution : My helpe and knowledge shall not be denide , Vntill we haue them tried one by one . And sithe we become this farre in the case , As ye haue hard from present haue ye been : And loked both the parties in the face , That sharpe are set , as ye haue hard and séene . And specially the playntiue whom ye here , his estymation how he doth hold : And of him self how he accompteth deere . So is his aduersarie partie bold , And other wayes accompteth woorthynesse , Besides alledgeth his antiquitie : And that nought but his owne he would possesse , Discended to him from his auncestrie . And for this cause we are assembled here , My selfe , and all these others whom ye see : To make this matter that is doubtfull cleere , If God wyll therein , wyl graunt vs facultie . Therefore as I shal reade their names eche one , If eyther party chalenge any man : And shew cause : ye are iudges therevpon , Vnto that cause to speaken what ye can . And it alowe for good or otherwyse , To disalow it in your iudgement : Wherin I redd you that ye be precise , And for the trueth to doo your good intent . They answeared with all their harts they would , Protesting their vnablenes of skil : I bad them doo no more but what they could , For God requireth of a man but wyl . With that I read their names for to appere , And fyrst the knight ▪ the squire , and gentleman , Who at the first made answear & sayd here , Then to the rest to passen I began . Fyrst , of the Taylours challeng made rehearsal , And asked yf he were indifferent : The tryors thought him not , and so dyd al The rest , and therfore from vs we him sent . Then gan I for to call the vitayler , He answeared and ready was at hand : The Baker , Bruer , and the Vintener , Come nere ( quoth I ) & with your felowes stand . Then to the Tanner and the Grasier , Who answeared me both without delay : The daunsing master and the Bricklayer , I bad th informer also come away . The maister of the dysing house also , The Smith , the Weauer , and the Husbandman : And there I ceassed , and dyd call no mo . But for to count their number I began . And found the number of them iust sixtéene , Nowe masters ( to the parties then saide I : ) Here is a Iury complet as I wéene , Looke to your chalenges aduisedly . And fyrst the knight I called to the booke , Who had no sooner answeared thereto : Then veluet bréeches to him chalenge tooke , And said he would shew cause , I bad hym doo . THis knight was neuer fréend of mine ( quod he , ) So plaine in his apparel and his port : The godly be dooth more estéeme then me . And spend his liuing on the poorer sort . He lyueth very well content at home , Nor to the Citie hath desyre to goe : Ne vp and downe there in the stréetes to rome , And for him selfe enquire at placebo . His Tenaunts and his Fermars lyue at ease , To whom he rayseth not a peny rent : Which thyng dooth not a litle me displease , As vnto pride a thing impertinent . And I thinke to speake plainely at a woord , He had a great deale rather for to see : Then silke on backe , good vitayles on his boord , And spend his rent his hospitalitée . Which sith it is a thyng agaynst my kind , It must needes folowe that he hateth me : And to my aduersarie is enclinde , Therfore of this enquest ought not to be . Then spake the wydow and the fatherlesse , And sayd a méeter man then he was one : Whose chalenge was his zeale to godlynesse , If he be drawen ( quoth they ) we shal haue none . Of all the chalenges that haue béen taken , In all the dayes and place where we haue ben : Ne hard wée man for vertue yet forsaken , Such fauour hath she with the sonnes of men . Or at the least she ought to haue of ryght , That whom so both the parties would admit , A man that in her had his whole delight , There should no priuate chalenge to him syt . To wyt , of kynred or affinitie . Indusing fauour as the Lawyers say : And true , but yet among the vngodly , Who , for their fréendes sake from the trueth wyl stray . But of the godly other is th intent , For they remember what their maister bad : Thou shalt know no mans face in iudgement , This earth to winne , from trueth they nyl be lad . For brotherhood ne yet for coossinage , For hope nor feare , loue , ne alliaunce : For faire or foule countenaunce or language . Vnto them all for trueth they bid defiaunce . As they that to no person bearen hate , Ne wyshen euil vnto any wyght : Or would him hinder for their fréend his sake , Such loue haue they to God , such zeale to ryght . Yet are they often iudged of th unwyse , To hate some persons , for they doon hem blame : Which is , for they loue them and hate their vice , And gladly would them bring to better frame . Wherefore this knight as we haue sayd beforne , We thinke right méete to leaden this enquest : And our assent be shall haue to be sworne , So passed we from him , and vnto the rest . Yea for the loue of God then answeared I , And bad him lay his hand vpon the booke , And as he was a knight of auncestry . Bad him regard his trueth and oath he tooke . Which is ( quoth I ) that ye shall say the trueth , If that the bréeches of cloth haue doon disseison : To him of veluet that here as plaintife sueth , Or from hym hath bereaft his right or reason . Throughout this land in any place or coast , Namely in London , and parties there about : Where he him selfe complayneth wronged most , And from fee and franke tenement put out . And him shall repossesse yf ye it finde , And cost and domage geue him for the wrong : And this to doo your oth here dooth ye binde , If not say so , and therein be not long . That doon I called next vnto the squyre , To whom like chalenge as vnto the knight : The veluet bréeches tooke , but dyd retyre , The gentleman also he let goe quite . So three we had our Iury to begyn , Now wyll we to the meaner sort quoth I : And bad the Baker and Vitayler come in , Also the Bruer who came as readely . The veluet bréeche then chalenged all three , And that he sayde his cause was principall : I am in debt vnto them all ( quoth he ) And by my good wyll pay them nere shall . And fourtie pound it is to whom is least , Wherefore to tell you trueth I doo them hate : And as myne enimies I them detest , Ne shall they in that cause of myne debate . The bréeche of cloth made answeare and defence , And saide , with pride this chalenge rightly stood : To yéeld dispite and hate for recompence , To such as in his néede had doon hym good . And this is not of late , ne yesterday . For Iesus that was the sonne of Syrack : Reade , yf the very same he dooth not say , Which of such matter and of others spake . Wherefore he thought this chalenge could be none , Though on his side were parcialitie : That proued neither of them such an one , As therefore beare to him inimitie . We asked then the triours what they thought , I meane the wydowe and the fatherlesse : They answeared the chalenge seemed nought , Yet asked myne aduise neuerthelesse . For that the veluet bréeches further sayd , That he had béen arrested at their sute : Desiring that the matter might be wayd , And further of the cause they would dispute . And yf the common lawe dyd it alowe , As he dyd thinke in reason well it ought : Those three be vtterly would disauowe , With that I answeared , and sayd I thought . The lawe would not , ne could intend so ill , If him that sueth for to haue his debt : That he of malice or of euyll wyll , Would séeke to be his hinderaunce or let . Which were they ware his debtor to disable , And bring him selfe to losse and hinderaunce : Which is not to be thought nor intendable , So thought the rest in finall concordaunce . Wherefore they were itaken euery one , So seuen of our Iury sworeu were : Then called I the Bricklayer alone , Who answeared , but or he were come néere . The bréeche of cloth to him this chalenge toke , Of fourtie Chimneys that by him were built : In one house there are scantly fiue that smoke , So was there much good bricke and morter spilt . So held he him vnfaithful in his hart , That taketh wage and woorketh all in vaine : Ne for his hyre dooth wyllyngly his part , But only séeketh howe to rayse his gaine . And so thereof he drew this consequent , He that dooth faile in one , wyll fayle in all : For profyt or for fréendshyp wyll relent , And thought this chalenge was materiall . The veluet bréeches hereunto replyed , The chalenge was both false and slaunderous : And want of smoke to be his fault denyed . But rather of the dweller in the house . Which was no fault in houses where he dwelt , I built for pleasure cheefely and for shewe : Where rost ne sodde is very seeldome smelt , Saue for our selfe and others very fewe . The fyre then being small or none within . It must néedes folowe of necessitie : The smoke that commeth thence for to be thyne , I am the cause thereof my selfe , not he . So this was thought by all the multitude , A good excuse and fully answeared : And him a lawfull man they dyd conclude , For proofe whereof was further alledged , Howe greatlie was the science to commend , Which maketh houses wherein men may dwell : In him is not to lymytte other end , To witte if men them vsen yll or well . Or féeden there the poore or els the riche , Ne in what part their bellies or theyr eyes , For hospitalyties are not all aliche : With them that now adaies are holden wyse . But as I sayde before it was agréed , The craftes man could not dooe there with all : That truelie dyd employ his worke in déede , As well vpon the kytchin as the hall . Wherefore he was admitted to the rest , And numbred vnto them they weren eyght : Thence to th informer forthwith I me drest , And called him , and he appeared straight . The breche of clothe him forthwith challenged , I asked him the cause he would shew none : But that the name it selfe was detested , What néede he shew cause vnto such a one . Whose very name , and whose profession , Throughout this land is foule and sclaunderous , Ye speake ( quod I ) without discression . And in your iudgement are preposterous . That for an euill member twoo or thrée , Or more or lesse that be degenerate : And fallen from their office and degrée , Condemneth all the bodies whole estate . And geueth priuate faulte , a blame publicke , I meane the office for his Officer : Alas yet the common sort so wicke , Of Innocence to make a trespasser . This wickednesse is not of yesterday , That priuate faulte doth geue publick offence For one yll man of thousandes to myssay , Of callinges and Estates of reuerence . That in a common welth ben seruisable , And of the same the preseruation : Degrées and Lawes so highe venerable . That who can saye theyr commendation . That for theyr worthines they ought to haue , Yet these I saye dooe suffer euyll name : And sclaunder for naught els , but that a knaue , Hath of them made a cloake for deede of shame . What wickednesse can greater be then this , Of honest trade , so euyll for to speaken : For one or twoo that vsen it amis , On whom it hath not might it selfe to wreken . For lawes and statutes , are naught els but words , And doo not speake them selues , which is worse . For if they could , or handle kniues and swords , A number shoulde be leaner in the purse . Wherefore I wishe no man that feareth God , To iudgen all after the déede of Sum : For that by common reason is forbod , And Christ hath sayd there shal be scandalum . Men ought therefore to proue or they allowe , Or hastilye done any wight despise : As Christ and Paul I know , but who are you , To find them out that vse his name for lyes . And proue if they be such in very déede , As in their worde , and in their countenaunce . For falsehood ofte is clad in costly wéede , And yll men com by offices by chaunce . In whome although there be misgouernaunce , As som for lacke of wisedome or of skyll : Others for they make of it cheuisaunce : And to commaund , and haue the world at wyll . Wherefore to turne whereas we lefte before . And of this challenge better to enquire : For of this trade me neeneth say no more , As of it selfe pure honest and entyre . But to the person what ye can obiect , Or put it to the tryours to defyne : If ye can him of any vice detect , Let them vpon the matter determine . With that the widdowe and the fatherlesse , Sayd , they knewe not his person what he was : Yet with our leaue they woulden make a gesse , And we should sée howe it would come to pas . For we that dwell farre from this town , quod they , Thought we come not at Innes of Court to lern : Yet dearely for our learning dooe we pay , As peraduenture héere ye shall discern . And for to trye this matter first of all , ( For we must goe quod they by circumstaunce : His bagge is full , let vs sée wherewithall , Which he was lothe , but dyd at our instaunce . It was a great bagge like a Fawconere , And hong vpon his gyrdle by a ring : And hundreth writtes at least within it were , Nowe shall ye see , quod they , for your learning . And bad me readen them as they arose , Naught but the Labell , and the parties name , She asked then th informer who were those , And where they dwelt , wherin they were to blame But of an hundreth he ne knew but thrée , Ne what they were , ne what towne they dwelt in Nor what they had offended more then wée , And so me thought straunge matter dyd begin . How that this widowe and this fatherlesse , Which both were of no learning neither skyll , Should by such circumstaunce this matter gesse , To trye a man his inward thought and wyll . Then they him asked what was his purpose , He aunswered it was yet longe to term : And sure he was there were such men as those , For he had messagers abrode to lern . So that or terme he could them serue eche one , And for all those that he thought would appere He would not want his declaration , And though he dyd yet were they not the nere . For I declare ( quod he ) in the Tam quam , How so the matter goe they gette no cost : For alwaies on the surer syde I am , To agree with me is best , and so dooe most . And better then vppon it to appere , And stand to tryall to their great expence : And though not guyltie , yet neuer the nere : They get of me no peny in recompence . So that the best is alwayes to agrée , Although they haue offended in nothing : And geue a crowne to saue fourtie , Yea rather then faile smaller offering . Somtime I take a Capon , or a Goose , A peece of Bacon or a peece of Béefe : Or for a pecke of Corne we let one loose , A small price to redeeme so great a mischiefe . With that the company gan on him looke , Namelye the widow and the fatherlesse : And bad hym take his hand of from the hooke , For they beléeued all he dyd confesse . And bad him goe his waye such as he was , The sclaunder of an honest misterye , Suborned therevnto by Sathanas , What is there that abused may not be . THen to the Master of the daunsing schoole , And eke the Master of the dysing house : The worst of them no howball , ne no foole , To them the breche of clothe dyd crye rescouse . As they that in no wise were to admitte , Professed foes to vertue by theyr trade : To godlinesse and goodnesse oppositte , And of all mischiefe verye roote and blade . So for the Master of the dysing house , He sayd he would not aunswere to that name , And thereof he mislyked meruelous , And for I termed him so he dyd me blame . Would God it were so sayd the company . And that men dyd accompt as myckle shame : In deede to execute iniquitye , As them were lothe thereof to haue the name . In déede ( quoth he ) I kéepe an ordinarye , Eight pence a meale who there , doth sup or dyne : And dyse and cardes , are but an accessarye . At aft meales who shall paye for the wine . These wayten all vppon our principall , As collourable cause to bring them in , And then from thence to sheere money they fall , Tyll some of them be shrieuen of theyr sinne . But of this game and other harlotrye , That there is vsed both by daye and night : Suffiseth me to waren riche thereby . Thereafter yet in name I wyll not hight . This challenge was holden peremptorye , Such as of further tryall had no néede : A trade maintained though vaine glorye , And pride , and many a lewde and shamefull déede The veluet brech sayd that it was not so , He sayd it was both false and sclaunderous : To his good name and to a number mo , By such as were of his welth enuious . And of his good estate and countenaunce , Which was not small , ne with the lowest sort : And praied witnesse of his fowle misparlaunce , That of a Gentleman gaue such report . A man that for his welth , his land and fée , Is taken as I sayd among the best : For fortye pound a yéere dispend maye hée , That he hath purchased this is the least . The bréeche of cloth sayd , whereto is this glose , Of welth , of friendship and possession : Which serueth not to this present purpose . But from our matters are dygression . For welth wée holden no conclusion , What so it be , of golde or reuenew : Namelye , gotten by the confusion , Of youth , and other meanes , lewd and vntrew . But he remaineth that he was before , A wicked wretche , yea and a great deale worse : His craft and lewdnesse cause of his great store , His house of sinne , a mother and a nurse . But to the wydowe and the fatherlesse , Their iudgement and experience : They answeared , and that with quicke addresse , And this was all th effect of their sentence . That his attendaunce here was litle woorth , Nor yf it were gods wyl in other place : So thought the rest , and bad him get him foorth , And forward on our matter gan we pace . Then came the daunsing master well be séene , Who somewhat eke misliked of that name : Master of Musicke termed would haue béene , A Science liberall of noble fame . The bréeche of cloth to him a chalenge tooke , And sayde to hym he neuer yet was fréend : For in his schoole his arse be neuer shooke , The schoole of pride where only it dooth end . Where well is him that brauest shewe can make , In hose and doubled leueled by lyne . Poynted & bottoned as in a brake . No silke ne veluet there is holden fyne . And as for me , I am as welcome there , As yf in Pairis garden ye haue béene : The dogges are welcome to the Bull or Beare , Which for to doon them mischiefe are ful kéene . The veluet bréeches foorthwith answeared , And sayd he spake full like such as he was : A foole that knewe nothing of lustiehed , But all his liue had liued like an asse . Ne knew what dyd become a gentleman , And brought him into fauour and to grace : And to no small preferment now and than , If finely with a woman he couth trace . A thing not inferior to vertue , And hath prescription for her vsage : The story of king Dauid is not newe , What so the foolish breeche of cloth doth rage . The breech of cloth as touching lustiehead , Made answeare that he knew not what it was : But it were youth with wealth yrauished , To spoyle them selues and their name to deface . As many he had knowen do thereby , And as for fauour that it purchaseth : A wanton minde may cast a fantasie , But as it lyghtly came it vanisheth . And whereas of prescription ye tel And for such filth aledgen vsage : Of that good patriarke of Israel . To that good king ye doon great disparage . His daun●ss●ng was ful far vnlike to this , Who hath the story read and vnderstood : For woman led he none certaine that is , And on his backe ware a linen Ephood . Ne there did tricke of xv . or eleuen , Of both the which to whom he came the next I dare wel vndertake he lacked seuen , Read yf ye fynd such matter in the text . Or in his daunce obserued cinquopas , Saue playne and simplie leaped as for ioye : His wyfe Mycholl ne liked of the grace , Resemblyng him to a light head boye . For sturdie proud and arrogant was shée , And thought it ful vnséemely and vnméet : To see a prince of that humilitie , To daunce amid the people in the stréet . And namely in a simple white Ephod , Wherefore she cast him in the téeth withal : But what sayd he I wyl yet serue my god , And lower yet before his face wyl fal . Which hath disherited thy fathers house , And chosen me to sit vpon his seate : He bryngeth downe the proud presumptuouse , And kindly doth the humble sort entreat Her woordes and eke his answeare to the same , Ye may finde written in the booke of kinges : How earnestly the good king shee dyd blame , And him disdayned for his dooinges . So when I sawe the matter goe so hard , And so defended by the breeche of cloth : Well ( said I ) let the triours then award , And iudge indifferently betwéene ye both . With that the wydowe and the fatherlesse , Sayd , they thought well of mirth and melody : As things that heauy mindes dyd oftredresse . So that no further euyl came thereby . Which was a matter hard to vndertake , Where daunsing was practised to much : And lusty gallant for his Ladyes sake , Supposeth as him selfe there is none such . For there is woonderfull abuse quoth she , Euen among the playne and simple sort : Where nought els but a Bagge piper is to see , Yet is there pride and follie in their sport . And rather then they wyll not be as fine . As who is finest , yea as smooth and slicke : And after sit vppermost at the wine , Or nale to make hard shift they wyll not sticke . Suche humble curtesies , and such louing lookes , As there béen vsed , practised , and taught : There neede to lecherie none other bookes , Ne other schooles to bring young folke to naught . Shortly they sayd he was a man vnméete , And to the veluet breeches perciall : So then I spake to him , and bad him fléete , And take his ease , and dyd another call . Which was the husbandman the séelie Hinde , And he no sooner was come in the place : Then veluet breeches gan great fault to finde , And for his simplenesse dyd him disgrace . And tooke not his chalenge particular , But sayd he was vnwoorthy and vnable : As he by proofe and reason would auer , And to the cloth bréeche also fauourable . And for the fyrst poynt was to him denied , Which was concerning his habilitie : He sayd that his addicion implyed , No thing so litle as ciuilitie . Nor knowledge in such causes to debate , Of pollicie or educacion : But rather of his mattockes and his rake , With whom he hath his conuersacion . For of al other folke he knoweth lest , And farthest is from learnyng & from skil : But yf it be in fodderyng of a beast , Then howe can he be iudge of good and ill . And so much for his fyrst exception , To prouen that he was a man vnméet : And partial he would him proue anone . For causes that he would vs done to wéet . Besides that he was insufficient , And had not .xl. s. of fréeholde : Which was another matter that he ment , That from this charge also doth him withold . The breech of cloth mayntayned the reuers , And in the matter sayd he would be short : And fyrst he would the chalengers rehearse , And to theyr answeare orderly resort . For ignorance and insufficience , For want of .xl. s. of free holde : Because that of his non indifference , No cause was shewd he knewe not what there would . Conserning fyrst of al his ignorance , And that he was vnwoorthy for to déeme : In matters of so great importance , He sayd the contrary was dayly séene . And that they should not charged be to saine , Matter that was in learning and iudgement : For to their handes it shal be made so plaine , And eke by proofe so playne and euident . That ere they could not but of wylfulnesse . And of their proper malice wittingly : Then want of learnyng is not wickednesse , Nor yet appropriate to husbandry . An art aboue all others commendable , For eld of tyme and for necessitie : I meane to mans lyfe so seruisable , As other none science ne facultie . Requireth learning , payne , and diligence , To dealen with the earth that is so iust : Where but he marke the heauens influence , In steade of corne oft shall he gather dust . And but he deale with iudgement and with skyll , Obseruing well his seasons , tymes , and houres : And in due order plant , sowe , set , and till : And wysely can foresée the wyndes and showres . He dooth not well deserue to haue that name , And that these thinges are not of importance : Who so it sayth , I holde him much to blame , As of our lyues the greatest sustenance . A Science holden alway reuerend , Of which also yf I should speake the prayes : And for the woorthynesse should it commend , It might suffice a woorke for many dayes . By kinges and patriarkes that han it vsed , An art by God so loued that from thence : To choose a king oft tyme he not refused , As Samuel dooth beare good euidence . As touchyng his fréehold I wyll not mell , But put it to the tryours to enquire : And as they finde the trueth so let them tell , Which is asmuche as ye both can desyre . The tryours sayd he had sufficient , And quickly of that doubt resolued vs : They sayd he myght spend . xls . rent , And in the Queenes booke was assessed thus . Thus are those causes fully answeared , Then said the bréech of cloth , and further prayed , He might be sworn that was more bast then nede , Quoth they of veluet , for he had not sayd . Ne spoken for to proue him parciall . Which at the fyrst was one exception : Goe to ( quoth wée ) he answeared so I shall , And forward with his matter is he gon . As sure ( quod he ) as where is discordaunce , And opposition of qualitie : Can be no friendship ne alliaunce , So sure I am this plowman hatcth me . For veluet bréeche are not for his weare , To toyle and tomble in the durt withall : He hateth too much costlinesse of geare , And sayth therein is purpose none at all . Besides all this howe he doth sclaunder mée , As one that geueth daungerous counsell : Both against him and eche other degrée , A whole day would not serue me for to tell . He sayth I was the chiefest counsellor , And first that bad his Landlorde rayse his rent : And after for to sell both farme and manor , And made him borrow where he might haue lent Such extréeme pylling , and such bryberie , As neuer was hard tell of or this age : The villain sayth it is all long of me , He sayth I haue brought men into that rage . That no man is content with his estate , No nor yet woman by your leaue saith he : And thence ariseth such sute and debate , At Westminster as daily is to sée . And Offices so very profitable , That by a man hath had one seuen yéere : Is some can vse them now he may be able , With Esquier Knight or Baron to be péere . I know I haue had oft his bitter curse , For he is somtime pynched for my sake : But no force for his words he shall fare worse , This is the third exception that I take . The bréech of cloth made answer that him thought , This opposition of qualitie . And all the other causes by him brought , Were no proofe that he parciall would be . To any wight that truth had on his syde , Whom for to doubt is almost to confesse : That by a iust iudge he dare not be tried , And said his challeng did implie no lesse . For he him thought of that indifference , That he in all this earth ne hateth wight , Ne would but for pure zeale of truth dispence , Ne shrinke for King ne Caesar from the right . And prayed me to speaken what I thought , If this obiection were answered : Which he against the husbandman had brought , For long he thought to be deliuered . He prayed the widow and the fatherlesse , Their minde & what they thought therof to tell : Who shortly did their mindes therin expresse , And said the challeng was auoyded well . So was the plowmen taken to the rest , And sworn to deale according to the troth : Then forward in our matters we vs drest , Betwene this bréech of veluet and of cloth . Then called I the Shoemaker and Smyth , The Tanner graisier and the Vintener : Who ready were at hand and came full swith , And challenged of neither part they were . As men like fauorable vnto both , No more vnto the one then to the other : Saue to the vyntener the bréeche of clothe , Spake thus in gentle wordes & said my brother ▪ Your lycour is so mightie and so strong , And therewithall it goeth down so soft , That of your guestes some bibb therof so long , Till from the ground it lifteth them aloft . Higher ( as they suppose ) then any stéeple , In all this Towne , Saint Mighell or the Bow ▪ No longer are they of the common people , And if they talke of beggers , no I trowe . But all of Myllions of markes and poundes , And of their credite , and their great chaffare : An Oake is but a trée , no by his woundes . So that ye wynne theee by , what dooe ye care . Or els for other fowle and filthye talke , Which is so lou'de and common in your house : Your cheker man for it doth kéepe no chalke , Wherefore me thinketh it were perillous . By such a man as ye are , to be tryed , Whose trade is galiaudise , drinke and disport : Both which are friendes to wylfulnesse and pride , Contrary to the sober godly sort . For from your house , you send them forth so hotte , So verye ranke their blood so sore incensed : That shame and feare of sinne is cleane forgotte , And hart and minde are therevnto licensed . The filthye whoredome I take to witnesse , That is so common , and so exercised : I wyll not saye the Sodomites had lesse , Ne for it smaller punishment deuised . Then vp and downe to haue them by cart , To shame such as knew neuer any shame : And lesse of Godlye nurture any part , But oft laughan slylic at the same . The Veluet bréeches for him aunswered , And for strength of his drinke excused him : For he allayed them both white and red , And oft with water made them small and thinne ▪ Or with some other wine that was full yll , So that if any it mistempered : It should séeme at the least against his wyll , That from him went so many a drunken hed . As for theyr lewde talke and their harlotrye , He was no officer to punishe them : But as he might and had aucthoritye , Their good drinke ( as I sayd ) to ming & blenne . And good inought ( he thought ) to spoyle and waste , For when the drinke hath once their hed posse The good and yll to them hath all one taste , So that they paye for it , as for the best . And where he sayth that whoredome is in wine , And dronkennesse he sayd that was not true : In all , though in some , and namely for the time , For some ( quod he ) had more néede to goe spue . As they that béen full ill at ease and sicke , And haue not might so much as they haue will , Till they haue slept but after if they kicke , Allas the day is that so great an ill . That it should néede so great a pnnishment , The vintener amercing them so déepe : That though they haue not grace for to repent , Their wife and children oft for hunger wéepe . And this he doth the rather for my sake , The other answered he thought no lesse : And said thereof non oath him neadeth take , So was it put vnto the fatherlesse . And widowe for to saie therof their minde , They said the chaileng was not principall : And that the creature of proper kinde , Was good though we offenden therewithall . As for the Seller though there were abuse , And much vngodlines within his house , He might alledge vnwares for his excuse , And eke to deale with such is daungerous . No further then by faire perswasion , Which to these drunkerds and vngodly : Doth rather kindle more occasion , To wickednes and life vnthriftie . Therefore was he admitted to the rest , And as his fellowes all did him before . Vpon his othe did faithfully protest , They had me count or I tooke any more , So then I called them as ye shall here , The Knight the squire and the gentleman : The Baker Brewer and the vittaller , The Tanner graisier and the husbandman . The Haberdassher and the Vintener , The Bricklayer and the Smyth also : The weauer and with him the Shoomaker , So was our Iury full complet and mo . For I them counted no lesse then fiftéene , Yet would I put none of them out againe , The moe ( thought I ) the better wyll they déeme , So then to open them the matter plaine , I read them ouer all the whole record , Euery point and article at large : And eke the sense and meaning of eche word , I shewd , and therwithall what was their charg● And had them for a time to go aside , And ripely of the matter to debate : And pray to God therein to be their guide , That they ne did but right to none estate . With that they went from me a certaine space , Not full the distaunce of a hundred foote : I with the rest abode styll in the place , And sodainlye while I aside dyd looke . Me thought I was ware of a company , That downe the hyll dyd come an easie pace : Thinking to me they meant to gone vs by , As , passagers that would to further place . Tyll I perceaued by the way they tooke , They meant to turne from vs to neither hand : Then gan I neerer vpon them to looke , Whence and who they should be to vnderstand . And sawe them thrée in number , moe ne lesse , Youthfull as theyr apparell dyd report : But who they were , or whence I could not gesse , Weaponed in verye defensable sort . Eache of them hauing at his syde a sword , And in his hand a buckler large and brode : Wée mused all what would hereof beword , Yet sayd nothing sayd , but in our place abode . And loe where yet came from the other syde , Thrée other like in euery regard : Vnto the fyrst , and faste against them hyde , To meten them , who came as ye haue hard . We gan to maruell what they ment to doone , And gessed diuersly of their intent : For that they dyd eche toward other come : We iudged all some straunge purpose they men One gessed , surely here wyll be some fray , For whiche this tyme and place appoynted are : And truely : but alas and well away , Farre other wyse then all we were aware . And that the bréeche of cloth fall dew abought , As ye shal here , before this matter end : And of their crueltie whiche there they wrought , Vpon the gyltlesse who might not defend . A storie pitifull and lamentable , Inough to warne eche wyght that he ne trust : To worldly proffer , fals and deceyuable , Which turneth as the wheele of fortune lust . Agaynst all wysedome , counsell , and forecast , Agaynst all hope and expectation : Howe so we builde , howe so we●tyen fast , When we thinke surest , fare well all is gon . What so it was in shewe or likelynesse , Of what securitie or assuraunce : One minute turneth it to nothing lesse , As in this matter ye shall sée dyd chaunce . This breeche of cloth hauing in all our sight , His cause so good that néedelie must he winne : And that the verdict must néedes fynde his right , And that in all our iudgementes well ●●●…hym . Yet came he to a miserable ende , A great example of al humane chaunce : From which yet no wyght may himself defend , While Fortune hath his matter in ballaunce . Which plainely for to shew as it befell , And where I left to take my hold agayne : These fire of whom I told you fayre and wel , In two companyes as ye heard me sayne . Directly came toward the bréech of cloth , By vs tyll vnto hym they came so nere , As that the breech was midd betwene them both . And then spake one of them as ye shal here . Tho●●●●●● of cloth thou wéede of lowlines , That hast not feared to mayntayne thy cause : Agaynst this garment of such woorthynes , And al of confidence the● hast in lawes . And told and vttered hast in thy defence , Such thinges as were not meete to béene i know And better had thou of them kept silence , Then tel them to thyne vtter : ouerthrow . Thou shalt therefore be a memorial , Of such as with their betters daren stryve : In cause neuer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and there withal , Upon the breech they al tooke hold belyue . But for to see how they him puld and halde , My selfe and others of the company : That it beheld for pitie were appald , To sée them shew that extreme crueltie . For thrée and thrée laid hold vppon a syde , Vpon the panes before and eke behynde : That one pane from another gan to ride , Both out syde and that where with it was lyude . So that they were defaced in a throw , And péece by peece so very smal itorn : That there nys man so connyng that couth know , Or gesse what garment they had ben beforn . Not so much as the codpéece was exempt , Or for his seruice so much fauor found : As not to be in péeces al to rent , And here and there in péeces throwen a ground . I reade of no suche execution , But it were Pentheus that dyd dispise : The Bachanals and dissolution , Done to that dronken god in sacrifice , Of whom his mother and his néerest fréendes , In maintenaunce of their idolatrie : Became the cruel murderers and féends , Reade Ovids Metamorphose it I lye . The Iury when they sawe the bréeche itorne , And sawe by consequent the strife was ended : For which they were impanelled and sworne , And for they wist not what was them intended . Away ranne they eche man in all he might , Ne chose their way , but as aduenture fell : Or I it wist they were nigh out of sight , To folowe them I néede aske no councell . But after them as hard as I could gon , So fast mee thought as neuer yet dyd man : But he were legged as was Acteon , When he vnware had looked on dyan . Nor neuer turned once to looke behinde , For all our matters and our businesse : They were the furthest thing out of my minde , For that no hope remayned of redresse . But for to make an end as I haue sayd , Thus ended was our matter of debate : I sodenly out of my sléepe abraid , And at the fyrst full pensiue was and mate . And looked all my chamber round about , And called to remembraunce all my sweuen : And yf I were at home yet gan I doubt , I meane where as I layd me downe at euen . So when I had a whyle consydered , And viewed well the wyndowe and the wall : And founde my selfe betwéene my shéetes in bed , I gan to sigh and thanked God for all . I sawe the day that now gan to disclose , And Phebus rysing with his golden beame : Then thought I sodenly vpon my hose , Such was yet my remembraunce of my dreame . I looked where I layde them ouernight , Vpon my bedde euen at the very féele : And when I sawe them whole & in good plight , If I were glad it was not for to wéete . Then cast I in my minde where I had béene , And mused of these matters that I mett : So straunge , and so incredible to weene . And to that end I would them not forget . I purposed to write them in a booke , Yet therewithall I had this fantasie : They wyll but laugh at me that on it looke . And yf they doo , I lose not all thought I. For laughter healthy is and profitable , And signe of both , men say where I haue béen : Of heale and weale which both are delectable , For common is this 〈◊〉 , they laugh that wyn . So that it hurt no wyght shal me suffice , Which yet it can not do but yf they wyl : For they may shutt theyr eares or close theyr eyes ▪ That feare in hearing it taken ill . Thus wandred my mynd in matters smal , And how that as smal things were put in thought Though some iudge of it i● , so wyl not al , Nor hym condemne of folie that it wrought . So after al these thinges consydered , As also that it was long to endite : Now wyl I proue ( quoth I ) my simple hed , What he hath kept and what he can recite . And helpe me all this matter to contryue . In order as it passed in my sléepe : If in hym be vertue memoratiue , To hold the thinges geuen hym to kéepe . And haue it written to my remembrance , Without omitting matter principal : Although that some what of the circumstance , I haue for want of caryage let fal . Therefore besech I euery gentle wyght , That shal it reade to iudge of it the best : The rather for it is not in our might , What we wyl dreame in bed when we do rest . But as it falleth vs by aduenture , Both for the substance and the qualitie : We can not couenant by Indenture , Ne yet compound before what it shal be . And therfore though it haue smal appearance , To be a trueth let no man it dispise : Or him that wrot it for no recompence , Saue labour for his paine without reprice . For who so shal estéeme his labour lost , That shal it read , he may thinke therewithal : I lost more manifold both paine and cost , Yet neuer gréeued me ne neuer shal . For while I wrote this I dyd nothyng els , Saue that I kept mynd from idlenesse : The cause of harlottry as Ouid tels , So wyl it them that read it as I gesse . Better I wys then Amadis de Gaule , Or els the pallas forced with pleasure : Who though they promise honny yelden gale , And vnto coales do turne theyr fained treasure . Or Ballads that entreate of naught but loue , Of plaints , vnkindnesse , and of gelosie : Which are of woonderfull effectes to moue , Young peoples mindes that reade them to folly . Of whiche neuerthelesse we dayly see , How many , and how cunning are the Clarkes : I bidde ye not herein to credite me , Beleeue their writinges & their noble warkes . But to my purpose whiche I haue attained , For my defence and of my dreame also : There is no man alyue that here is blamed , I knowe not such a man as weren tho . That by the bréeche of cloth were chalenged , Nor I thinke neuer were , for to my wyt : They were fantasticall imagined , Onely as in my dreame I dyd surmit . Wherefore no man thinke him selfe spoken to , For any thing that I haue told you in my sweuen , Who thinketh he dooth well , so let him doo , And choose him how this matter he wyl leeuen . Besides all this , least any man misiudge , Of these my woordes , or hold me parciall : As bearyng to the buttockes any grudge . More then vnto the other members all . Because my matter hath ben of a breeche ▪ Which is their habit and their couerture : To thinke none ill therein I them beseeche , Or that their losse , I haue ment to procure . As that they might not weare as may the rest , I meane the members of more worthines : For sure I hold they ought to weare the best , And if ye read S. Paule , he saith no lesse . Wherefore to buttockes euil I ne ment , More then vnto the belly or the backe : Or else the head concerning ornament , For nature hath more furnished their lack . They may with lesse shame be discouered , And naked then the lower partes may be : Though yet vnseemely sauing for the head , Of man : for why of God th' image is hee . And is the ground of reason and the roote , The seate of vnderstanding and of wit : Guide of the rest , yea both of hand and foote , And Royall as a king on high doth sit . And therefore if the buttockes do excéede , Or be to monstrous in that they weare : The head ought to be blamed for the deede , For reason ought to haue his dwelling there . Not in the buttockes who know nothing lesse , Then what is seemely for them to put on : And are appointed other busynesse , But if the head they chaunes to ouer gone . And take vpon them for to beare the sway , For reason let in Sensualitie . Which sure they will do if they get the kaye , As proue some weddings made to hastelie . Withouten any councell had before , Of them that should of right haue delt therein : Fie fie let be , I pray ye of that no more , What should we aske aduise of friend or kynne , Among our youth this chaunceth now and then , But séeld or neuer with the elder sort : That set their childrens partes at six or tenne , And all for neither counsell and comfort . But this is somwhat out of my purpose , Whose meaning was naught but to satisfie : Such as ( because my matter was of hose ) Might thinke I would the buttockes iniurie . Thus for the matter of my dreame ynough , To him or her that might thereof misthinke : ●ow for the forme therof is very rough , I may not that defend with pen nor Inke . But as in the first part of this iourney , When first wée entred into this matter : 〈◊〉 tolde them I was but an atturney , What néeded me to bragg or els to clatter . And of that order ( I am sure ) the worst , I say for knowledge in this action : For sure in all my life it was the furst , Not onely whereof I had the direction . But whereof I had ben at the passage , So that I had but small experience : To bene the guide of such a caryage , and hauing there also no presidence . And as for my learning and my studie , Hath bene but smal though somwhat I haue red : I wrote neuer day with prothonotory , And therefore was but smally furnished . Therefore beséech I such as be learned , Into whose hands this work may chaunce to come Barresters or how so ye ben termed , To iudgen of it after your wisedome . For that I geue the plentife no collor , Nor for such matters do obserue decorum : With vs was neither dyer nor Fuller , And ( as I said ) my selfe had nihil horum . Therefore no collours there they gat of me , Saue such as they themselues with them brought , which ( as me thought ) were but to great plentie , And that to litle purpose as me thought . If I haue pleaded further in the right , In action which is but possessory : Then by the nature of thée write I might , I could not therein be peremptory . But that ech partie would haue his reason , To proue their issue which was generall : Is ye haue hard , nul tort nul disseason , And weyuen would no point for them might fal ▪ Wherfore my masters you that in pleading , And in the learned points thereof haue skill : Worthie of weightie matter to haue leading , Beare with him that ground neuer in your mill , ●e in your large corne fieldes hath haruested , The sheaues of that right noble Science : But here and there as ye haue scattered , Hath gleaned after you without offence . And did in this matter for his talent , Which is as much as he could do therein : As he to whom was but one peny lent , Yet was not vsing of it holden sinne . And so Christ himselfe hath said in parable , Wherefore I trust ye will accompt no wourse : Of him that would do good as he is able , Then him that gaue all that was in his purse . As whilom did the widow with her myte , Your gentle iudgement and your curtesie : I pray the author of all goodnes quite . To whom be laud and praise eternally .

printer's or publisher's device Ecclesiasticus . Cap. x. The beginning of mans pryde is to fall away from God , and why his hart is gone from his make for pride is the originall of all sinne .