Rightwisenes chastised al robbours, By egall balaunce of execucion, Fraud, false mede, put backward fro jurours, True promes holde, made no delacioun; Forswearing shamed durst enter in no toun, Nor lesingmongers, because Attemperaunce Had in that world wholy the governaunce. That golden world could love God and drede, All the seven dedes of mercy for to use, The rich was ready to do almes dede, Who asked harbour, men did him not refuse; No man of malice would other tho accuse, Defame his neighbour, because Attemperaunce Had in that world wholy the governaunce. The true marchant by measure bought and sold, Deceipt was none in the artificer, Making no balkes, the plough was truely hold, Abacke stode Idlenes, farre from labourer, Discrecion marcial at diner and supper, Content with measure, because Attemperaunce Had in that world wholy the governaunce. Of wast in clothing was that time none excesse; Men might the lord from his subjectes know; A difference made twene povertie and richesse, Twene a princesse and other states lowe; Of horned boastes no boast was tho blowe, Nor counterfeit feining, because Attemperaunce Had in that world wholy the governaunce. This golden world long whyle dyd endure, Was none allay in that metall sene, Tyll Saturne ceased, by record of scripture, Jupiter reygned, put out his father clene, Chaunged obrison into silver shene, Al up so downe, because Attemperaunce Was set asyde, and loste her governaunce. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...KATHLEEN MAVOURNEEN by JULIA CRAWFORD SONNET: 31 by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY THE HAPPY LIFE OF A COUNTRY PARSON by ALEXANDER POPE HOMAGE TO SEXTUS PROPERTIUS: 1 by EZRA POUND AH, HAD I SEEN THEE SOONER! by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS INVITATION TO PETERHEAD by JAMES HAY BEATTIE |