6445   And hym punysshe and hampre so,
6446   That he his chirche shal forgo.
6447   'But who so hath in his felyng
6448   The consequence of such shryvyng,
6449   Shal sene that prest may never have myght
6450   To knowe the conscience a right
6451   Of hym that is undir his cure.
6452   And this ageyns holy scripture,
6453   That biddith every heerde honeste
6454   Have verry knowing of his beeste.
6455   But pore folk that gone by strete,
6456   That have no gold, ne sommes grete,
6457   Hem wolde I lete to her prelates,
6458   Or lete hir prestis knowe her states,
6459   fforto me right nought yeve they.'
6460   'And why is it?' 'For they ne may.
6461   They ben so bare, I take no kepe;
6462   But I wole have the fat sheepe;
6463   Lat parish prestis have the lene,
6464   I yeve not of her harme a bene!
6465   And if that prelates grucche it,
6466   That oughten woth be in her witt,
6467   To leese her fat beestes so,
6468   I shal yeve hem a stroke or two,