After which sort they wandered long while,
Abusing manie through their cloaked guile;
That at the last they gan to be descryed 345
Of everie one, and all their sleights espyed;
So as their begging now them failed quyte,
For none would give, but all men would them wyte.
[_Wyte_, blame.]
Yet would they take no paines to get their living,
But seeke some other way to gaine by giving, 350
Much like to begging, but much better named;
For manie beg which are thereof ashamed.
And now the Foxe had gotten him a gowne,
And th'Ape a cassocke sidelong hanging downe;
For they their occupation meant to change, 355
And now in other state abroad to range:
For since their souldiers pas no better spedd,
They forg'd another, as for clerkes booke-redd.
Who passing foorth, as their adventures fell,
Through manie haps, which needs not here to tell, 360
At length chaunst with a formall Priest to meete,
[_Formall_, regular.]
Whom they in civill manner first did greete,
And after askt an almes for Gods deare love.
The man straightway his choler up did move,
And with reproachfull tearmes gan them revile, 365
For following that trade so base and vile;
And askt what license or what pas they had.
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