Classic Poem

As I walked alone
and mused on things,
That have in my time
been done by great kings,
I bethought me of abbeys
that sometime I saw,
Which are now suppressed
all by a law.
O Lord, (thought I then)
what occasion was here
To provide for learning
and make poverty clear.
The lands and the jewels
that hereby were had
Would have found godly preachers
which might well have led
The people aright
that now go astray
And have fed the poor
that famish every day.