Classic Poem

1

Off benefice, sir, at everie feist,
Quha monyast hes makis maist requeist.
Get thai not all, thai think ye wrang thame.
Ay is the ouirword of the geist:
Giff thame the pelffe to pairt amang thame.

2

Sum swelleis swan, sum swelleis duke,
And I stand fastand in a nwke,
Quhill the effect of all thai fang thame.
Bot lord! how petewouslie I luke,
Quhone all the pelfe thai pairt amang thame.

3

Off sic hie feistis of sanctis in glorie
(Baithe of commoun and propir storie),
Quhair lairdis war patronis, oft I sang thame,
Charitas, pro dei amore;
And yit I gat na thing amang thame.

4

This blynd warld euer so payis his dett.
Riche befoir pure spraidis ay thair net.
To fische all watiris dois belang thame.
Quha na thing hes can na thing gett,
Bot ay as syphir set amang thame.

5

Swa thai the kirk haue in thair cure,
Thai fors bot litill how it fure,
Nor of the buikis or bellis, quha rang thame.
Thai pans not of the prochin pure,
Hed thai the pelfe to pairt amang thame.

6

So warryit is this warldis rent
That men off it ar neuer content,
Off deathe quhill that the dragoun stang thame.
Quha maist hes than sall maist repent,
With largest compt to pairt amang thame.