Note 279 — Chapter IV · THE PEASANTRY (continued)

“Envy waxeth wonders strong, The Riche doth the poore wrong, God of his mercy sufferith long The Devil his workes to worke. The Townes go downe, the land decayes; Of cornefeldes playne layes, Gret men makithe now a dayes A shepecote in the Church. The places that we Right holy call Ordeyned ffor Christyan buriall Off them to make an ox-stall These men be wonders wyse; Commons to close and kepe, Poor folk for bred to cry and wepe; Towns pulled down to pastur shepe, This ys the newe gyse.”