John Ball's letter to an unidentified community (1381)

John Balle seynte Marie prist gretes wele alle maner men and byddes hem in the name of the Trinité, Fadur, and Sone and Holy Gost stonde manlyche togedyr in trewthe, and helpez trewthe, and trewthe schal helpe yowe.

Now regneth pride in pris, And covetys is hold wys, And leccherye withouten shame And glotonye withouten blame. Envye regnith with tresone, And slouthe is take in grete sesone. God do bote, for nowe is tyme. Amen.