Classic Poem

The commodytes of Pety Brytayne, wyth here revers on the see. The iij. capitle

Fforthermore to wrytene I hame fayne,
Somwhate spekynge of the Lytell Bretayne;
Commodite therof there is and was,
Salt and wynes, creste clothe, and canvasse;
And the londe of Fflaunderis sekerly
Is the staple of there marchaundy;
Wheche marchaundy may not passe awey,
But by the coste of Englonde, this is no nay.
And of this Bretayn, who so trewth levys,
Are the grettest rovers and the grettest thevys
That have bene in the see many oone yere,
That oure marchauntes have bowght full dere.
Ffor they have take notable gode of oures
On thys seyde see, these false coloured pelours,
Called of Seynt Malouse, and elles where,
Wheche to there duke none obeysaunce woll bere.
Wyth suche colours we have bene hindred sore,
And fayned pease is called no werre herefore.
Thus they have bene in dyverse costes manye
Of oure England, mo than reherse can I;
In Northfolke coostes, and othere places aboutte,
And robbed and brente and slayne by many a routte,
And they have also ransonned toune by toune,
That into the regnes of bost have ronne here soune;
Whyche hathe bene ruthe unto thys realme and shame;
They that the see shulde kepe are moche to blame.
Ffor Bretayne is of easy reputasyoun,
And Seynt Malouse turneth hem to reprobacioun.