Epigram 43 (Whē books & poore men, they their parish ...)

Whē books & poore men, they their parish burned
These their low houses raz'd & ouerturned,
Are driuen to seeke, changing their olde repayre,
They in the ground, these dwelling in the ayre.
When sport is made of damned fornication.
And vsurie an honest occupation.
When dull, cramde, grosse, and swollen gluttony,
Scornes wholsome temperance with leaden eye.
When pride like polling miller sits vpon.
The bated gryst of poore religion.
When holy tithes the highest callings price,
Make iags for coates, and fuell for the dice
May we not well O times, on manners cry?
This were an ease, it were no remedie.