A little living gotten rightfully
Passeth the riches, and eke the high power
Of that, that wretches have gather'd wickedly.
Perish shall the wicked's posterity,
And God shall 'stablish the just assuredly.
The just man's days the Lord doth know, and see!
Their heritage shall last for evermore,
And of their hope beguil'd they shall not be,
When dismold days shall wrap the other sore.
They shall be full when other faint for food,
Therewhilst shall fail these wicked men therefore,
To God's enemies such end shall be allow'd,
As hath lamb's grease wasting in the fire,
That is consum'd into a smoky cloud.
Borroweth th' unjust without will or desire
To yield again; the just freely doth give,
Where he seeth need: as mercy doth require.
Who will'th him well for right therefore shall leve;
Who banish him shall be rooted away.
His steps shall God direct still and relieve,
And please him shall what life him lust essay; And though he fall under foot, lie shall not he, Catching his hand, for God shall straight him stay:
Nor yet his seed foodless seen for to be.
The just to all men merciful hath been;
Busy to do well; therefore his seed, I say,
Shall have abundance alway fresh and green.
Flee ill; do good; that thou may'st last alway,
For God doth love for evermore the upright.
Never his chosen doth he cast away;
For ever he them mindeth day and night;
And wicked seed alway shall waste to nought,
The just shall wield the world as their own right, 79
And long thereon shall dwell, as they have wrought.
With wisdom shall the wise man's mouth him able;
His tongue shall speak alway even as it ought, 82
With God's learning he hath his heart stable,
His foot therefore from sliding shall be sure!
The wicked watcheth the just for to disable,
And for to slay him doth his busy cure.
But God will not suffer him for to quail;
By tyranny, nor yet by fault unpure,
To be condemn'd in judgment without fail.
Await therefore the coming of the Lord!
Live with his laws in patience to prevail,
And He shall raise thee of thine own accord
Above the earth, in surety to behold
The wicked's death, that thou may it record;
I have well seen the wicked sheen like gold:
Lusty and green as laurel lasting aye,
But even anon and scant his seat was cold
When I have pass'd again the selfsame way;
Where he did reign, he was not to be found:
Vanish'd he was for all his fresh array.
Let uprightness be still thy steadfast ground.
Follow the right: such one shall alway find
Himself in peace and plenty to abound.
All wicked folk reversed shall untwind,1
And wretchedness shall be the wicked's end.
Health to the just from God shall be assign'd,
He shall them strength whom trouble should offend.
The Lord shall help, I say, and them deliver
From cursed hands, and health unto them send,
For that in Him they set their trust for ever.
1 'Untwind:' be weakened, dissolved.
AN EPITAPH OF SIR THOMAS GRAVENER, KNIGHT. 211
AN EPITAPH OF SIR THOMAS GRAVENER,
1 UNDER this stone there lieth at rest
A friendly man, a worthy knight;
Whose heart and mind was ever prest
To favour truth, to further right.
2 The poor's defence, his neighbour's aid,
Most kind always unto his kin;
That stint all strife that might be stayed;
Whose gentle grace great love did win.
3 A man, that was full earnest set
To serve his prince at all assays:
No sickness could him from it let;
Which was the shortening of his days.
4 His life was good, he died full well;
The body here, the soul in bliss;
With length of words why should I teli,
Or further shew, that well known is;
Since that the tears of more and less,
Right well declare his worthiness.
Vivit post funera Virtus.
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