The Multitext Edition > Aberystwyth, National Library of Wales MS. Peniarth 392 D
The Friar's Tale
Folio 74r
10 of 10 folios
WHilom / ther was dwellynge in my contree
An Erchedekne / a man of hy degree
That boldely / dide execucioū
In punysshynge of Fornicacioū
5
Of wicchecraft and eek of Bawderye
Of diffamacioū / and auoutrye
Of chirche Reues / and of testamentz
Of contractes / and eek of lakke of sacramentz
Of vsure / and of Symonye also
10
But certes / lecchours / dide he grettest wo
They sholde syngen if that they were hent
And smale tytheres were foule yschent
If any persoū / wold vpon hem pleyne
Ther myghte asterte hym no pecunial peyne
15
For smale tithes & for smal offryng
He made the peple ful pitusly to syng
For er the bysschop cagħt hem wt hys hooc
They were in the ercħdeknys book /
And thanne had he thurgħ hys Iurisdiccion
20
Power to do on hem correccion