degree > social station
2 By riches and unrighteous reward, 3 Some by close shouldering, some by flattery;
close shouldering > [secretly shouldering other people aside]
4 Others through friends, others for base regard;
regard > motive; hence: bribery
5 And all by wrong ways for themselves prepared. 6 Those that were up themselves kept others low; 7 Those that were low themselves held others hard; 8 Nor suffered them to rise or greater grow:
suffered > permitted
9 But every one did strive his fellow down to throw.
207.48
Which whenas Guyon saw, he gan inquire,
2 What meant that preace about that Ladies throne,
And what she was that did so high aspire.
4 Him Mammon answered; That goodly one,
Whom all that folke with such contention,
6 Do flocke about, my +deare, my+ daughter is;
Honour and dignitie from her alone
8 Deriued are, and all this worldes blis
For which ye men do striue: few get, but many mis.