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Of kings, nor dare to rashly say

That they may not extend their sway

Whereso they will; but in the law

Methinks ’twould be a grievous flaw

Should it permit that doles and alms,

Which should but reach the trembling palms

Of those who cannot earn their bread

Through sickness, age, or drearihead,

Were snatched away from them by might

And power of those who trample right;

Surely for them were hell made hot.

If Adam’s Maker lieth not.

But God’s commandment, mind ye well,

It is a righteous man should sell

His goods, and therewith help the poor,

But this command oped not the door

To mendicancy, that was not

His meaning, as right well we wot,

But that each man his hand should trim

To work while meekly following him.

To his disciples gave Saint Paul

Injunction strict that one and all

Should labour with their hands, nor be

Disgraced by base mendicity.

Saying: To labour set ye then,

Nor ask an alms of other men;

And greatly feared he lest some sold

The gospel through the lust of gold.

And if a man to give doth choose

Because he dareth not refuse

Another’s asking, pricked with shame,

Or fearing lest he get the name