Theih pleien wid the kinges silver, and breden wod for wele. 330
Ac shrewedeliche for sothe hii don the kinges heste;
Whan everi man hath his part, the king hath the leste.
Everi man is aboute to fille his owen purs;
And the king hath the leste part, and he hath al the curs,
wid wronge.
God sende treuthe into this lond, for tricherie dureth to longe.
And baillifs and bedeles under the shirreve,
Everich fondeth hu he may pore men most greve.
The pore men beth over al somouned on assise;