THE ENGLISH POLICY a.d. 



c - H37- 



For destroyed it is, and as in cheeffe 



The wolle of Spaine it commeth not to preeffe, 



But if it be costed and menged well 



Amongst the English wolle the greter delle. 



For Spanish wooll in Flaunders draped is, 



And ever hath bee, that men have minde of this : 



And yet Wooll is one of the chiefe Marchandy [I- 189.] 



That longeth to Spaine : who so will espie, 



It is of little value, trust unto mee, 



With English wooll but if it menged bee. 



Thus if the sea be kept, than herken hether, 



If these two lands comen not together : 



So that the Fleete of Flanders passe nought 



That in the narrowe see it be not brought 



Into the Rochelle to fetch the fumose wine, 



Ner into Bytonuse Bay for salt so fine, 



What is then Spaine ? What is Flanders also ? 



As who sayd, nought, the thrift is agoe. 



For the little land of Flanders is 



But a staple to other lands ywis : 



And all that groweth in Flanders graine and seede 



May not a Moneth finde hem meate and brede. 



What hath then Flanders, bee Flemings lieffe or loth, 



But a little Mader and Flemish Cloth : 



By Drapering of our wooll in substance 



Liven her commons, this is her governance, 



Without wich they may not live at ease. 



Thus must hem sterve, or with us must have peace. 



Of the commodities of Portugal. The second 



Chapter. 



THe Marchandy also of Portugal 

 By divers lands turne into sale. 

 Portugalers with us have trouth in hand : 

 Whose Marchandy commeth much into England. 

 They ben our friends, with their commodities, 

 And wee English passen into their countrees. 



117 



