But this good Sir did follow the plaine word, 390
Ne medled with their controversies vaine;
All his care was his service well to saine,
[_Saine_, say.]
And to read homelies upon holidayes;
When that was done, he might attend his playes:
An easie life, and fit high God to please. 395
He, having overlookt their pas at ease,
Gan at the length them to rebuke againe,
That no good trade of life did entertaine,
But lost their time in wandring loose abroad;
Seeing the world, in which they bootles boad, 400
[_Bootless boad_, dwelt unprofitably.]
Had wayes enough for all therein to live;
Such grace did God unto his creatures give.
Said then the Foxe: "Who hath the world not tride
From the right way full eath may wander wide.
[_Eath_, easy.]
We are but novices, new come abroad, 405
We have not yet the tract of anie troad,
[I.e. routine of any way of life.]
Nor on us taken anie state of life,
But readie are of anie to make preife.
[_Preife_, proof.]
Therefore might please you, which the world have proved,
Us to advise, which forth but lately moved, 410
Of some good course that we might undertake,
Ye shall for ever us your bondmen make.
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