Or cast a figure for a bishoprick:
And if one could, it were but a schoole trick.
These be the wayes by which without reward
Livings in court he gotten, though full hard;
For nothing there is done without a fee: 515
The courtier needes must recompenced bee
With a benevolence, or have in gage
[_Gage_, pledge.]
The primitias of your parsonage:
[_Primitias_, first-fruits.]
Scarse can a bishoprick forpas them by,
But that it must be gelt in privitie. 520
Doo not thou therefore seeke a living there,
But of more private persons seeke elswhere,
Whereas thou maist compound a better penie,
Ne let thy learning question'd be of anie.
For some good gentleman, that hath the right 525
Unto his church for to present a wight,
Will cope with thee in reasonable wise,
[_Cope_, bargain.]
That if the living yerely doo arise
To fortie pound, that then his yongest sonne
Shall twentie have, and twentie thou hast wonne: 530
Thou hast it wonne, for it is of franke gift
And he will care for all the rest to shift;
Both that the bishop may admit of thee,
And that therein thou maist maintained bee.
This is the way for one that is unlern'd 535
Living to get, and not to be discern'd.
But they that are great clerkes have nearer wayes