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THE LETTER OF JOHN BALL (STOW)


The Letter of John Ball (Stow)
Edited by James M. Dean
Originally Published in Medieval English Political Writings
Kalamazoo, Michigan: Medieval Institute Publications, 1996


(From Stow, Annales)

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 N
   
   
   
 John Bal Saint Marie priest, greeteth wel all maner of men, and biddeth them
in the name of the Trinitie, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, stand manlike together
in truth, and helpe truth, and truth shal helpe you:
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 Now raigneth pride in price,
Covetise is holden wise,
Leacherie without shame,
Gluttonye without blame:
Envie raigneth with treason,
And slouth is taken in greate season;                            
God doe bote, for now is time.
Amen.
 reigns; much valued; (see note)
Greed is held to be
   
   
Envy rules; (see note)
sloth
God provide the remedy; (see note)
   
   


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