A.D. 



c 1437- 



What our 

 marchants bye 

 in that coste 

 more then all 

 other. 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



To werre unto her hindring multifarie, 



So ben our English marchants necessarie. 



If it be thus assay, and we shall witten 



Of men experte, by whom I have this written. 



For sayd is that this carted marchandy 



Draweth in value as much verily, 



As all the goods that come in shippes thider, 



Which Englishmen bye most and bring it hither. 



For her marts ben febel, shame to say, 



But Englishmen thider dresse her way. 



A conclusion of this depending of keeping of 



the sea. 



THan I conclude, if never so much by land 

 Were by carres brought unto their hand, 

 If well the sea were kept in governance 

 They should by sea have no deliverance. 

 Wee should hem stop, and we should hem destroy, 

 As prisoners we should hem bring to annoy. 

 And so we should of our cruell enimies 

 Make our friends for feare of marchandies, 

 If they were not suffered for to passe 

 Into Flanders. But we be frayle as glasse 

 And also brittle, not thought never abiding ; 

 But when grace shineth soone are we sliding ; 

 We will it not receive in any wise : 

 That maken lust, envie, and covetise : 

 Expone me this ; and yee shall sooth it find, 

 Bere it away, and keepe it in your mind. 

 Then shuld worship unto our Noble bee 

 In feate and forme to lord and Majestie : 

 Liche as the seale the greatest of this land 

 On the one side hath, as I understand, 

 A prince riding with his swerd ydraw, 

 In the other side sitting, soth it is in saw, 

 Betokening good rule and punishing 

 In very deede of England by the king. 



130 



