Classic Poem

Of Hankyne Lyons.

Thane Hankyne Lyons shulde not be so bolde
To stoppe wyne, and shippes for to holde,
Unto our shame; he hadde be betene thens.
Allas! allas! why dede wee these offence,
Ffully to shende the olde Englisshe fames,
And the profites of Englonde, and there names?
Why is thys powere called of covetise
Wyth ffals colours caste beforne oure eyes?
That if goode men ben called werryours
Wolde take the see for the comon socours,
And purge the see unto oure grete avayle,
And wynne hem gode, and have up the sayle,
And one oure enmyes there lives to juparte,
So that they myght there pryses well departe,
As reasone wolde, justice, and equite,
To make this lande have lordeshyp of the see.