ABSTRACT
Before a manlike shape, behinde a fishes fell, this strange disguise doth make full many stare,
And since they prease to know why I come here, Let them be still, the cause shall soone appeere.
Within this Commonwealth (my Lord) all those that live in awe Do seeke each daie for to performe and keep the stablisht law, Yea such do keep the Sabboth day in reverence as they ought And fish daies too as wel as flesh, which many set at naught. Yet if the same were well observde, flesh seldome would be deere, And fish abound at each mans boord more plentie in each yeere. Then Englands store would be increast with butter, cheese and
beefe, And thousands set to worke for fish, that now beg for reliefe. This shape so strange, shew they are strange and do digres from
reason That shun in eating fish and flesh, to keepe both time and season, Which fault reformd, our commonwealth would florish in such wise, As never anie did behold the like with mortall eies.
