Classic Poem

Sterynge to an ordinaunce agens coloure of maynteners and excusers.

Ffor thys coloure that muste be seyde alofte,
And by declared of the grete fulle ofte,
That oure seemen wolle by many wysse
Spoylle oure frendys in stede of oure enmyse;
Ffor whyche coloure and Lumbardes mayntenaunce,
The kynge it nedeth to make an ordinaunce
Wyth hys counselle, that may not fayle, I troue,
That frendes shuld frome enmyes welle be knoue,
Oure enmyes taken, and oure frendes spared;
The remedy of hem muste be declared.
Thus may the see be kept in no selle;
Ffor if ought be taken, wotte ye weel,
Wee have the strokes, and enmyes have the wynnyng,
But maynteners ar parteners of the synnynge.
Wee lyfe in luste, and byde in covetyse,
This is oure reule to mayntene marchauntyse,
And polyeye that we have on the see;
And, but God helpe, it woll none other bee.