London Lickpenny.

To London once my steps I bent, Where truth in nowise should be faint; To Westminster-ward I forthwith went, To a man of law to make complaint, I said, “For Mary’s love, that holy saint, Pity the poor that would proceed!” But for lack of Money I could not speed.

And as I thrust the press among, By froward chance my hood was gone, Yet for all that I stayed not long Till to the King’s Bench I was come. Before the judge I kneeled anon, And prayed him for God’s sake to take heed. But for lack of Money I might not speed.

Beneath them sat clerks a great rout, Which fast did write by one assent, There stood up one and cried about, “Richard, Robert, and John of Kent!” I wist not well what this man meant, He cried so thickly there indeed. But he that lacked Money might not speed

Unto the Common Pleas I yode [81] tho, Where sat one with a silken hood; I did him reverence, for I ought to do so, And told my case as well as I could, How my goods were defrauded me by falsehood. I got not a mum of his mouth for my meed, And for lack of Money I might not speed.

Unto the Rolls I gat me from thence, Before the clerks of the Chancerie, Where many I found earning of pence, But none at all once regarded me. I gave them my plaint upon my knee; They liked it well when they had it read, But lacking Money I could not be sped.

In Westminster Hall I found out one Which went in a long gown of ray, [82a] I crouched and kneeled before him anon, For Mary’s love of help I him pray. “I wot not what thou mean’st,” gan he say; To get me thence he did me bede: For lack of Money I could not speed.

Within this Hall, neither rich nor yet poor Would do for me aught although I should die. Which seeing, I got me out of the door Where Flemings began on me for to cry, “Master, what will you copen [82b] or buy? Fine felt hats, or spectacles to read? Lay down your silver, and here you may speed.”

Then to Westminster Gate I presently went, When the sun was at highé prime; Cooks to me they took good intent, And proffered me bread with ale and wine, Ribs of beef, both fat and full fine; A fair cloth they gan for to sprede, But wanting Money I might not then speed.

Then unto London I did me hie, Of all the land it beareth the prize. “Hot peascods!” one began to cry, “Strawberry ripe!” and “Cherries in the rise!” [82c] One bade me come near and buy some spice, Pepper and saffron they gan me bede, But for lack of Money I might not speed.

Then to the Cheap I began me drawn, Where much people I saw for to stand; One offered me velvet, silk, and lawn, Another he taketh me by the hand, “Here is Paris thread, the finest in the land!” I never was used to such things indeed, And wanting Money I might not speed.

Then went I forth by London Stone, Throughout all Can’wick Street. [83] Drapers much cloth me offered anon; Then comes me one cried, “Hot sheep’s feet!” One cried, “Mackerel!” “Rushes green!” another gan greet; One bade me buy a hood to cover my head, But for want of Money I might not be sped,

Then I hied me into East Cheap; One cries “Ribs of beef,” and many a pie; Pewter pots they clattered on a heap, There was harp, pipe, and minstrelsie. “Yea, by cock!” “Nay, by cock!” some began cry; Some sung of Jenkin and Julian for their meed, But for lack of Money I might not speed.

Then into Cornhill anon I yode, Where was much stolen gear among; I saw where hung mine owné hood That I had lost among the throng: To buy my own hood I thought it wrong; I knew it well as I did my Creed, But for lack of Money I could not speed.

The taverner took me by the sleeve, “Sir,” saith he, “will you our wine assay?” I answered, “That cannot much me grieve, A penny can do no more than it may.” I drank a pint, and for it I did pay. Yet soon ahungered from thence I yede, And wanting Money I could not speed.

Then hied I me to Billingsgate, And one cried, “Hoo! Go we hence!” I prayed a barge man, for God’s sake, That he would spare me my expence. “Thou scrap’st not here,” quoth he, “under two pence; I list not yet bestow any alms deed.” Thus lacking Money I could not speed.

Then I conveyed me into Kent; For of the law would I meddle no more, Because no man to me took intent, I dight me to do as I did before. Now Jesus, that in Bethlehem was bore, Save London, and send true lawyers their meed! For whoso wants Money with them shall not speed.