The rest described with like regret their dole,

And thus from parts they reason’d to the whole:

When all agreed some evil must be done,

Or rich men’s hearts grew harder than a stone.

Our easy vicar cut the matter short;

He would not listen to such vile report.

All were not thus - there govern’d in that year

A stern stout churl, an angry overseer;

A tyrant fond of power, loud, lewd, and most severe:

Him the mild vicar, him the graver clerk,