not otherwise bestowed than in all excesse, as if we wist not
otherwise how to consume and wast them. I praie God that in this
behalfe our sinne be not like vnto that of Sodoma and Gomorha, whose
[Sidenote: Ezech. 16.]
errors were pride, excesse of diet, and abuse of Gods benefits
aboundantlie bestowed vpon them, beside want of charitie toward the
poore, and certeine other points which the prophet shutteth vp in
silence. Certes the common-wealth cannot be said to florish where
these abuses reigne, but is rather oppressed by vnreasonable exactions
made vpon rich farmers, and of poore tenants, wherewith to mainteine
the same. Neither was it euer merier with England, than when an
Englishman was knowne abroad by his owne cloth, and contented himselfe
at home with his fine carsie hosen, and a meane slop: his coat, gowne,
and cloake of browne blue or puke, with some pretie furniture of
veluet or furre, and a doublet of sad tawnie, or blacke veluet, or
other comelie silke, without such cuts and gawrish colours as are
worne in these daies, and neuer brought in but by the consent of the
French, who thinke themselues the gaiest men, when they haue most
diuersities of iagges and change of colours about them. Certes of all
[Sidenote: Attire of merchants.]
estates our merchants doo least alter their attire, and therefore are
most to be commended: for albeit that which they weare be verie fine
and costlie, yet in forme and colour it representeth a great péece of
the ancient grauitie apperteining to citizens and burgesses, albeit
the yoonger sort of their wiues both in attire and costlie
housekeeping can not tell when and how to make an end, as being women
in déed in whome all kind of curiositie is to be found and seene, and
in farre greater measure than in women of higher calling. I might here
name a sort of hewes deuised for the nonce, wherewith to please
phantasticall heads, as gooseturd gréene, pease porridge tawnie,
popingaie blue, lustie gallant, the diuell in the head (I should saie
the hedge) and such like: but I passe them ouer thinking it sufficient
to haue said thus much of apparell generallie, when nothing can
particularlie be spoken of anie constancie thereof.