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If so he will, and forthwith cite

You ’fore the court in dread despite,

And ruin you in two short days.

And he possesseth briefs, he says,

Much stricter and more strong by far

Than any common parchments are,

Which have no power at all to touch

More than eight persons, while his, much

More wide and full in their intent,

May pass when law itself is spent:

And for your rights nought careth he,

From law he hath immunity.

Thus all his power he’ll put in force.

Nor deign to stay or change his course

For prayers or tears, nor any kind

Of gift, his coffers well are lined.

For seneschal. Sir Schemer he

Hath got, who gathers wondrously,

And Sir Solicitor, his brother,

These two will outvie many another

In piling wealth, and ’twixt the pair

Their hoard might buy St. Peter’s chair,

Now help me God and good St. James,

If you deny my lawful claims

(When spring toward Easter-tide hath trod)

To have the holy body of God,

I shall not grieve thereat, but go

To that good man who well I know

Will give it me, and vainly spent

On me were threats of punishment.

Thuswise may every carl confess

Whereso it suits his wilfulness;