|
In Flaundres whilom was a compaignye |
| Of yonge folk, that haunteden folye, |
| As riot, hasard, stywes, and tavernes, |
| 180 | Wher as with harpes, lutes, and gyternes |
| They daunce and pleyen at dees, bothe day and nyght, |
| And eten also and drynken over hir myght, |
| Thurgh which they doon the devel sacrifise |
| Withinne that develes temple in cursed wise, |
| 185 | By superfluytee abhomynable. |
| Hir othes been so grete and so dampnable |
| That it is grisly for to heere hem swere. |
| Oure blissed lordes body they totere - |
| Hem thoughte that Jewes rente hym noght ynough - |
| 190 | And ech of hem at otheres synne lough. |
| And right anon thanne comen tombesteres, |
| Fetys and smale, and yonge frutesteres, |
| Syngeres with harpes, baudes, wafereres, |
| Whiche been the verray develes officeres |
| 195 | To kyndle and blowe the fyr of lecherye, |
| That is annexed unto glotonye. |
| The hooly writ take I to my witnesse, |
| That luxurie is in wyn and dronkenesse. |
|
| In Flanders, once, there was a company |
| Of young companions practised to folly, |
| Riot and gambling, brothels and taverns; |
| 180 | And, to the music of harps, lutes, gitterns, |
| They danced and played at dice both day and night. |
| And ate also and drank beyond their might, |
| Whereby they made the devil's sacrifice |
| Within that devil's temple, wicked wise, |
| 185 | By superfluity both vile and vain. |
| So damnable their oaths and so profane |
| That it was terrible to hear them swear; |
| Our Blessed Saviour's Body did they tear; |
| They thought the Jews had rent him not enough; |
| 190 | And each of them at others' sins would laugh. |
| Then entered dancing-girls of ill repute, |
| Graceful and slim, and girls who peddled fruit, |
| Harpers and bawds and women selling cake, |
| Who do their office for the Devil's sake, |
| 195 | To kindle and blow the fire of lechery, |
| Which is so closely joined with gluttony; |
| I call on holy writ, now, to witness |
| That lust is in all wine and drunkenness. |
|
