The other sort alledged, that their liuings were but small and slender, and scarse able to mainteine themselues withall, which compelled them to go bare, and to liue a hard and poore life, and therefore (they hauing nothing) praied that they might be excused. The bishop when he had heard them at full, and well considered thereof, verie wittilie, and with a pretie dilemma answered them both, saieng to the first: It is true, you are at great charges, and are well beseene in your apparell, well mounted vpon your faire palfreies, and haue your men waiting vpon you in good order; your hospitalitie is good, and your dailie expenses are large, and you are for the same well reported amongst your neighbours; all which are plaine demonstrations of your wealth and abilitie, otherwise you would not be at such voluntarie charges.

Now hauing store to spend in such order, there is no reason, but that to your prince you should much more be well willing & readie to yeeld your selues contributorie and dutifull, and therefore you must paie. To the other sort he said: Albeit your liuings be not of the best, yet good, sufficient, and able to mainteine you in better estate than you doo imploie it: but it appeareth that you are frugall and thriftie men; and what others doo voluntarilie spend in apparell, house, and familie, you warilie doo keepe, and haue it to lie by you; and therefore it is good reason that of your store you should spare with a good will and contribute to your prince; wherefore be contented, for you shall paie. And so by this pretie dilemma he reduced them to yeeld a good paiment to the king.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The king after he had gotten a great masse of monie togither, hauing pitie on the people, which oppressed with the sharp proceedings of his greedie officers, cried daily to God for vengeance, ment to haue depriued them of their offices (as some write) & that such monie as had beene violentlie exacted, should haue beene restored and deliuered againe, if he had not bene preuented by death. And yet by his last will he commanded that it should be dulie and truelie performed, but in the meane season many mens coffers were emptied. [Thomas Kneisworth maior of London for this yeare, of his owne goods, builded the conduit on Bishops gate. He gaue to the fishmongers certeine tenements, for the which they be bound to find foure scholers that studie art; two at Oxford, and two at Cambridge, euerie of them fourse pounds the yeare. They be bound also to giue to twelue aged poore people of their companie, to euerie one of them at Bartholemew tide a winter garment for euer. Also to giue to the prisoners of Ludgate and Newgate euerie yeare fortie shillings, &c. The fift of Ianuarie in the night, the kings chamber was fired at Richmond, the which might not be quenched, till manie curteins, carpets, rich beds, and much other stuffe was consumed.