[In hugger mugger, in secret]
And all the rest doo rob of good and land:  140
For now a few have all, and all have nought,
Yet all be brethren ylike dearly bought. 
There is no right in this partition,
Ne was it so by institution
Ordained first, ne by the law of Nature, 145
But that she gave like blessing to each creture
As well of worldly livelode as of life,
That there might be no difference nor strife,
Nor ought cald mine or thine:  thrice happie then
Was the condition of mortall men. 150
That was the golden age of Saturne old,
But this might better be the world of gold;
For without golde now nothing wilbe got. 
Therefore, if please you, this shalbe our plot: 
We will not be of anie occupation; 155
Let such vile vassalls, borne to base vocation,
Drudge in the world and for their living droyle,
     [Droyle, moil]
Which have no wit to live withouten toyle. 
But we will walke about the world at pleasure,
Like two free men, and make our ease our treasure. 
Free men some beggers call; but they be free; 161
And they which call them so more beggers bee: 
For they doo swinke and sweate to feed the other,
     [Swinke, toil.]
Who live like lords of that which they doo gather,
And yet doo never thanke them for the same, 165
But as their due by nature doo it clame. 
Such will we fashion both our selves to bee,
Lords of the world; and so will wander free
Where so us listeth, uncontrol’d of anie. 
Hard is our hap, if we, emongst so manie, 170
Light not on some that may our state amend;
Sildome but some good commeth ere the end.” 
Well seemd the Ape to like this ordinaunce: 
Yet, well considering of the circumstaunce,
As pausing in great doubt awhile he staid, 175
And afterwards with grave advizement said: 
“I cannot, my lief brother, like but well
     [Lief, dear.]
The purpose of the complot which ye tell;
For well I wot (compar’d to all the rest
Of each degree) that beggers life is best, 180
And they that thinke themselves the best of all
Oft-times to begging are content to fall. 
But this I wot withall, that we shall ronne
Into great daunger, like to bee undonne,
Thus wildly to wander in the worlds eye, 185
Withouten pasport or good warrantye,
For feare least we like rogues should be reputed,
And for eare-marked beasts abroad be bruted. 
Therefore I read that we our counsells call
How to prevent this mischiefe ere it fall, 190
And how we may, with most securitie,
Beg amongst those that beggars doo defie.”