Part 10 (1/2)

Unto the Common Pleas I yode tho, {81} Where sat one with a silken hood; I did him reverence, for I ought to do so, And told my case as well as I could, How my goods were defrauded me by falsehood.

I got not a mum of his mouth for my meed, And for lack of Money I might not speed.

Unto the Rolls I gat me from thence, Before the clerks of the Chancerie, Where many I found earning of pence, But none at all once regarded me.

I gave them my plaint upon my knee; They liked it well when they had it read, But lacking Money I could not be sped.

In Westminster Hall I found out one Which went in a long gown of ray, {82a} I crouched and kneeled before him anon, For Mary's love of help I him pray.

”I wot not what thou mean'st,” gan he say; To get me thence he did me bede: For lack of Money I could not speed.

Within this Hall, neither rich nor yet poor Would do for me aught although I should die.

Which seeing, I got me out of the door Where Flemings began on me for to cry, ”Master, what will you copen or buy? {82b} Fine felt hats, or spectacles to read?

Lay down your silver, and here you may speed.”

Then to Westminster Gate I presently went, When the sun was at highe prime; Cooks to me they took good intent, And proffered me bread with ale and wine, Ribs of beef, both fat and full fine; A fair cloth they gan for to sprede, But wanting Money I might not then speed.

Then unto London I did me hie, Of all the land it beareth the prize.

”Hot peascods!” one began to cry, ”Strawberry ripe!” and ”Cherries in the rise!” {82c} One bade me come near and buy some spice, Pepper and saffron they gan me bede, But for lack of Money I might not speed.

Then to the Cheap I began me drawn, Where much people I saw for to stand; One offered me velvet, silk, and lawn, Another he taketh me by the hand, ”Here is Paris thread, the finest in the land!”

I never was used to such things indeed, And wanting Money I might not speed.

Then went I forth by London Stone, Throughout all Can'wick Street. {83} Drapers much cloth me offered anon; Then comes me one cried, ”Hot sheep's feet!”

One cried, ”Mackerel!” ”Rushes green!” another gan greet; One bade me buy a hood to cover my head, But for want of Money I might not be sped,

Then I hied me into East Cheap; One cries ”Ribs of beef,” and many a pie; Pewter pots they clattered on a heap, There was harp, pipe, and minstrelsie.

”Yea, by c.o.c.k!” ”Nay, by c.o.c.k!” some began cry; Some sung of Jenkin and Julian for their meed, But for lack of Money I might not speed.

Then into Cornhill anon I yode, Where was much stolen gear among; I saw where hung mine owne hood That I had lost among the throng: To buy my own hood I thought it wrong; I knew it well as I did my Creed, But for lack of Money I could not speed.

The taverner took me by the sleeve, ”Sir,” saith he, ”will you our wine a.s.say?”

I answered, ”That cannot much me grieve, A penny can do no more than it may.”

I drank a pint, and for it I did pay.

Yet soon ahungered from thence I yede, And wanting Money I could not speed.

Then hied I me to Billingsgate, And one cried, ”Hoo! Go we hence!”

I prayed a barge man, for G.o.d's sake, That he would spare me my expence.

”Thou sc.r.a.p'st not here,” quoth he, ”under two pence; I list not yet bestow any alms deed.”

Thus lacking Money I could not speed.

Then I conveyed me into Kent; For of the law would I meddle no more, Because no man to me took intent, I dight me to do as I did before.

Now Jesus, that in Bethlehem was bore, Save London, and send true lawyers their meed!

For whoso wants Money with them shall not speed.