The Black Death

Water in rubefaction; bullock’s gall,

Arsenic, brimstone, sal ammoniac,

And herbs that I could mention by the sack,

Moonwort, valerian, agrimony and such.

God’s blessing on you, Doctor, not forgetting

Your various urinals and chamber pots,

Bottles, medicaments and cordial tots

And boxes brimming all with panaceas.

…supported by the Crown

For the foul lucre of their usury,

Hateful to Christ and all his company.

A holy-minded man of good renown

There was, and poor, the Parson to the town…

…He did not set his benefice to hire

And leave his sheep encumbered in the mire

Or run to London to earn easy bread

By singing masses for the wealthy dead,

Or find some Brotherhood and get enrolled.

He stayed at home and watched over his fold.

…a poor old widow

In a small cottage by a little meadow…

Three hefty sows, no more, were all her showing,

Three cows as well; there was a sheep called Molly,

Sooty her hall, her kitchen melancholy,

And there she ate full many a slender meal…

She drank no wine, nor white nor red had got,

Her board was mostly served with white and black;

Milk and brown bread; in which she found no lack;

Broiled bacon or an egg or two were common,

She was, in fact, a sort of dairy woman…

For Holy Church’s goods should be expended

On Holy Church’s blood, so well descended

And holy blood should have what’s proper to it

Though Holy Church should be devoured to do it!