Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DESCRIPTION OF THE GOLDEN AGE, FR. FALLS OF PRINCES, by JOHN LYDGATE



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DESCRIPTION OF THE GOLDEN AGE, FR. FALLS OF PRINCES, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Rightwisenes chastised al robbours
Last Line: Was set asyde, and loste her governaunce.


Rightwisenes chastised al robbours,
By egall balaunce of execucion,
Fraud, false mede, put backward fro jurours,
True promes holde, made no delacioun;
Forswearing shamed durst enter in no toun,
Nor lesingmongers, because Attemperaunce
Had in that world wholy the governaunce.

That golden world could love God and drede,
All the seven dedes of mercy for to use,
The rich was ready to do almes dede,
Who asked harbour, men did him not refuse;
No man of malice would other tho accuse,
Defame his neighbour, because Attemperaunce
Had in that world wholy the governaunce.

The true marchant by measure bought and sold,
Deceipt was none in the artificer,
Making no balkes, the plough was truely hold,
Abacke stode Idlenes, farre from labourer,
Discrecion marcial at diner and supper,
Content with measure, because Attemperaunce
Had in that world wholy the governaunce.

Of wast in clothing was that time none excesse;
Men might the lord from his subjectes know;
A difference made twene povertie and richesse,
Twene a princesse and other states lowe;
Of horned boastes no boast was tho blowe,
Nor counterfeit feining, because Attemperaunce
Had in that world wholy the governaunce.

This golden world long whyle dyd endure,
Was none allay in that metall sene,
Tyll Saturne ceased, by record of scripture,
Jupiter reygned, put out his father clene,
Chaunged obrison into silver shene,
Al up so downe, because Attemperaunce
Was set asyde, and loste her governaunce.






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