25 



The come is so deare 



I clout raanie will starve this yeare. 



If you see not to this 



Som of you will speed amiss. 



Our souls they are dear 



For our bodyes have some ceare. 



Before we arise 



Less will sufise. 



The pore there is more 



Than goes from dore to dore.* 



Directions were consequently issued to the constables, on the 

 18th November, 1630, not to allow the people to assemble, and to 

 the churchwardens and overseers, to double the tax for the relief 

 of the poor.t As the dearth was likely to continue through 1631, 

 the King " having a watchful eye for the publique good always 

 kept open," confirmed all fomier orders for keeping the assize of 

 bread ; for suppressing abuses by traders in corn, and for seeing 

 the poor " first supplied.''^ 



Fresh regulations also were issued, in which the constables 

 were ordered to look after " those that goe in good clothes, and 

 fare well, and none knows whereof they live ; builders of cottages 

 and takers in of inmates." To see the law for ordering of wages 

 was not " deluded," before coming to the Statute, and that the 

 common fashion of "essoyning" {i.e., excusing) many absent, be 

 not allowed. To present those who were relievers of Rogues and 

 Beggars, and to get from all such, wandering wdth women and 

 children, where they were married and their children christened, 

 " for these people neither marry, nor christen, nor bury, which 

 licentious liberty makes so many delight to be Rogues and 

 Vagabonds." 



With the new King and his marriage with a papist, had come 



• State Papers, 1630, Vol. clxxv., fol. 81. 



t State Papers, 1630, Vol. clxxv., fol. H. 



X State Papers, 1631, Vol. clxxiii. 



