Deus hic, the Holy Trinity, Preserve all that now here be! Dear brethren, if ye will consider The cause, why I am come hither, Ye would be glad to know my intent: For I come not hither for money nor for rent, I come not hither for meat nor for meal, But I come hither for your soul's heal: I come not hither to poll nor to shave, I come not hither to beg nor to crave, I come not hither to gloss nor to flatter, I come not hither to babble nor to clatter, I come not hither to fable nor to lie, But I come hither your souls to edify. For we friars are bound the people to teach, The gospel of Christ openly to preach, As did the apostles by Christ their master sent, To turn the people and make them to repent. But since the apostles from heaven would not come, We friars now must occupy their room. We friars are bound to search men's conscience, We may not care for groats nor for pence, We friars have professed wilful poverty, No penny in our purse have may we; Knife nor staff may we none carry, Except we should from the gospel vary. For worldly adversity may we be in no sorrow, We may not care to-day for our meat to-morrow, Barefoot and barelegged must we go also: We may not care for frost nor snow; We may have no manner care, ne think Nother for our meat nor for our drink; But let our thoughts fro such things be as free As be the birds that in the air flee. For why our Lord, cleped sweet Jesus, In the gospel speaketh to us thus: Through all the world go ye, saith He, And to every creature speak ye of me; And show of my doctrine and cunning, And that they may be glad of your coming. If that you enter in any house anywhere, Look that ye salute them, and bid my peace be there; And if that house be worthy and elect, Th'ilk peace there then shall take effect; And if that house be cursed or pervert, Th'ilk peace then shall to yourself revert. And furthermore, if any such there be, Which do deny for to receive ye, And do despise your doctrine and your lore, At such a house tarry ye no more; And from your shoes scrape away the dust To their reprefe; and I, both true and just, Shall vengeance take of their sinful deed. Wherefore, my friends, to this text take ye heed: Beware how ye despise the poor freres, Which are in this world Christ's ministers; But do them with an hearty cheer receive, Lest they happen your houses for to leave; And then God will take vengeance in His ire. Wherefore I now, that am a poor friar, Did inquire where any people were Which were disposed the Word of God to hear; And as I came hither, one did me tell That in this town right good folk did dwell, Which to hear the Word of God would be glad; And as soon as I thereof knowledge had, I hither hied me as fast as I might, Intended by the grace of God Almighty, And by your patience and supportation, Here to make a simple collation; Wherefore I require all ye in this prese[nce] For to abide and give due audience. But, first of all, Now here I shall To God my prayer make, To give ye grace All in this place His doctrine for to take.