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Specimens of English literature from the 'Ploughmans crede' to the ...

Specimens of English literature from the 'Ploughmans crede' to the ...

Specimens of English literature from the 'Ploughmans crede' to the ...

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:;320 XXV!. GEORGE GASCOIGNE,And that <strong>the</strong>y be but slaues <strong>to</strong> common welth,Since al <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>to</strong>yles and al <strong>the</strong>ir broken sleepsShal scant suffize <strong>to</strong> hold it stil vpright.For <strong>the</strong> Cominaliie.Now <strong>the</strong>se be past, (my priests) yet shal you prayFor common people, eche in his degree,loioThat God vouchsafe <strong>to</strong> graunt <strong>the</strong>m al his grace.Where should I now beginne <strong>to</strong> bidde my beades ?Or who shal first be put in common place ?My wittes be wearie, and my eyes are dymme, 1015Icannot see who best deserues <strong>the</strong> roome.Sta;?d forth, good Peerce, thou plowmiaw by thy name,Yet so <strong>the</strong> Sayler saith I do him wrong :Tliat one contends, his paines are without peareThat o<strong>the</strong>r saith, that none be like <strong>to</strong> his ;1020In dede <strong>the</strong>y labour both exceedingly.But since Isee no shipman that can HueWithout <strong>the</strong> plough, and yet I many see(Which Hue by lande) that neuer sawe <strong>the</strong> seasTherefore I say, stand forth Peerce plowman first, 1025Thou winst <strong>the</strong> roome, by verie worthinesse.The plo'wman.Behold him (priests)& though he stink <strong>of</strong> sweat,Disdaine him not : for shal I tel you what ?Such clime <strong>to</strong> hcauen before <strong>the</strong> shauen crownes.But how ? forsooth, with true humilytie. 1030Not that <strong>the</strong>y hoord <strong>the</strong>ir grain when it is cheape,Not that <strong>the</strong>y kill<strong>the</strong> calfe <strong>to</strong> haue <strong>the</strong> milke.Nor that <strong>the</strong>y set debate betwcne <strong>the</strong>ir lordsBy earing vp <strong>the</strong> balks that part <strong>the</strong>ir bounds :Nor for because <strong>the</strong>y can both crowche & creep 1035

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