17
For commons these commoners crie,
enclosing they may not abide:
Yet some be not able to bie
a cow with hir calfe by hir side.
Nor laie not to liue by their wurke,
but theeuishlie loiter and lurke.
18
The Lord of the towne is to blame,
for these and for many faults mo.[E391]
For that he doth knowe of the same,
yet lets it vnpunished go.
Such Lords ill example doth giue,
where [verlets][E392] and drabs so may liue.
19
What footpathes are made, and how brode!
annoiance too much to be borne:
With horse and with cattle what rode
is made thorow erie mans corne!
Where champions ruleth the [roste],[E393]
there dailie disorder is moste.
20
Their sheepe when they driue for to wash,
how careles such sheepe they doo guide!
The fermer they leaue in the [lash],
with losses on euerie side.
Though any mans corne they doo bite,
they will not alow him a [mite].
21
What hunting and hauking is there!
corne looking for sickle at hand:
Actes lawles to doo without feare,
how [yeerlie][8] togither they band.
More harme to another to doo,
than they would be done so vntoo.
22
More profit is [quieter] found
(where pastures in seuerall bee:)
Of one seelie aker of ground,
than champion maketh of three.
Againe what a ioie is it knowne,
when men may be [bold] of their owne!
Champion.
Seuerall.
23
The tone is commended for graine,
yet bread made of beanes they doo eate:
The tother for one loafe haue twaine,
of [mastlin], of rie, or of wheate.
The champion liueth full bare,
when woodland full merie doth fare.
Champion.