and on being told that this was no restitution, but another robbery, he replies, with assumed innocence of manner,
"I wened[39] rifling were restitution, quoth he,
For I learned never to read on book;
And I ken no French, in faith,
But of the farthest end of Norfolk."
Even the Pope is not exempt from a touch of satire:—
"He prayed the Pope
Have pity on holy Church,
And ere he gave any grace,
Govern first himself."
The prejudice against doctors and lawyers was as strong five hundred years ago as now, judging from Piers Plowman, who says, that
"Murderers are many leeches,
Lord them amend!
They do men die through their drinks
Ere destiny it would."
Of lawyers he says they pleaded
"for pennies
And pounds, the law;
And not for the love of our Lord
Unclose their lips once.
Thou mightest better meet mist
On Malvern hills
Than get a mum of their mouth
Till money be showed."
No class of people suffered more in the Middle Ages than the Jews. They were abhorred by the poor, despised by the wealthy, and cruelly oppressed by the powerful. But through all their sufferings and trials they were true to each other; and the monk holds up their fraternal charity as an example to shame Christians into similar virtues. He says:—
"A Jew would not see a Jew
Go jangling[40] for default.
For all the mebles[41] on this mould[42]
And he amend it might.
Alas! that a Christian creature
Shall be unkind to another;
Since Jews, that we judge
Judas's fellows,
Either of them helpeth other
Of that that him needeth.
Why not will we Christians
Of Christ's good be as kind
As Jews, that be our lores-men[43]?
Shame to us all!"