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having any women about them； but infinites also past out of this life；
not having any witnesse； how； when； or in what manner they departed。
So that few or none there were； to deliver outward shew of sorrow
and grieving： but insteed thereof； divers declared idle joy and
rejoycing； a use soone learned of immodest women； having put off all
feminine compassion； yea； or regard of their owne welfare。
Very few also would accompany the body to the grave； and they not
any of the Neighbours； although it had beene an honourable Citizen；
but onely the meanest kinde of people； such as were grave…makers；
coffin…bearers； or the like； that did these services onely for
money； and the beere being mounted on their shoulders； in all hast
they would runne away with it； not perhaps to the Church appointed
by the dead； but to the neerest at hand； having some foure or sixe
poore Priests following； with lights or no lights； and those of the
silliest； short service being said at the buriall； and the body
unreverently throwne into the first open grave they found。 Such was
the pittifull misery of poore people； and divers； who were of better
condition； as it was most lamentable to behold； because the greater
number of them； under hope of healing； or compelled by poverty； kept
still within their house weake and faint； thousands falling sicke
daily； and having no helpe； or being succoured any way with foode or
physicke； all of them died； few or none escaping。
Great store there were； that died in the streetes by day or night；
and many more beside； although they died in their houses； yet first
they made it knowne to their neighbours； that their lives perished；
rather by the noysome smell of dead and putrified bodies； then by
any violence of the disease in themselves。 So that of these and the
rest； dying in this manner every where； the neighbours observed one
course of behaviour； （moved thereto no lesse by feare； that the
smell and corruption of dead bodies should harme them； then charitable
respect of the dead） that themselves when they could； or being
assisted by some bearers of coarses； when they were able to procure
them； would hale the bodies （already dead） out of their houses； laying
them before their doores； where such as passed by； especially in the
mornings； might see them lying in no meane numbers。 Afterward；
Bieres were brought thither； and such as might not have the helpe of
Bieres； were glad to lay them on tables； and Bieres have bin observed；
not onely to be charged with two or three dead bodies at once； but
many times it was seene also； that the wife with the husband； two or
three Brethren together； yea； the Father and the Mother； have thus
beene carried along to the grave upon one Biere。
Moreover； oftentimes it hath beene seene； that when two Priests went
with one Crosse to fetch the body； there would follow （behind） three
or foure bearers with their Bieres； and when the Priests intended
the buriall but of one body； sixe or eight more have made up the
advantage； and yet none of them being attended by any seemly
company； lights； teares； or the very least decencie； but it plainly
appeared； that the very like account was then made of Men or Women； as
if they had bene Dogges or Swine。 Wherein might manifestly bee
noted； that that which the naturall course of things could not shew to
the wise； with rare and little losse； to wit； the patient support of
miseries and misfortunes； even in their greatest height： not onely the
wise might now learne； but also the very simplest people； and in
such sort； that they should alwaies bee prepared against all
infelicities whatsoever。
Hallowed ground could not now suffice； for the great multitude of
dead bodies； which were daily brought to every Church in the City； and
every houre in the day； neither could the bodies have proper place
of buriall； according to our ancient custome： wherefore； after that
the Churches and Church…yards were filled； they were constrained to
make use of great deepe ditches； wherein they were buried by
hundreds at once； ranking dead bodies along in graves； as Merchandizes
are laide along in ships； covering each after other with a small
quantity of earth； and so they filled at last up the whole ditch to
the brim。
Now； because I would wander no further in everie particularity；
concerning the miseries happening in our Citie： I tell you； that
extremities running on in such manner as you have heard； little
lesse spare was made in the Villages round about； wherein （setting
aside enclosed Castles which were now filled like to small Cities）
poore Labourers and Husband…men； with their whole Families； dyed
most miserably in outhouses； yea； and in the open fieldes also；
without any assistance of physicke； or helpe of servants； and likewise
in the high…wayes； or their ploughed landes； by day or night
indifferently； yet not as men； but like brute beasts。
By meanes whereof； they became lazie and slothfull in their dayly
endevours； even like to our Citizens； not minding or medling with
their wonted affaires： but； as a waiting for death every houre；
imployed all their paines； not in caring any way for themselves； their
cattle； or gathering the fruits of the earth； or any of their
accustomed labours； but rather wasted and consumed； even such as
were for their instant sustenance。 Whereupon； it fell so out； that
their Oxen； Asses； Sheepe； and Goates； their Swine； Pullen； yea
their verie Dogges； the truest and faithfullest servants to men； being
beaten and banished from their houses； went wildly wandring abroad
in the fields； where the Corne grew still on the ground without
gathering； or being so much as reapt or cut。 Many of the foresaid
beasts （as endued with reason） after they had pastured themselves in
the day time； would returne full fed at night home to their houses；
without any government of Heardsmen； or any other。
How many faire Palaces！ How many goodly Houses！ How many noble
habitations； filled before with families of Lords and Ladies； were
then to be seene emptie； without any one there dwelling； except some
silly servant？ How many Kindreds； worthy of memory！ How many great
inheritances！ And what plenty of riches； were left without any true
successours？ How many good men！ How many woorthy Women！ How many
valiant and comely young men； whom none but Galen； Hippocrates； and
Aeesculapius （if they were living） could have bene reputed any way
unhealthfull； were seene to dine at morning with their Parents；
Friends； and familiar confederates； and went to sup in another world
with their Predecessors？
It is no meane breach to my braine； to make repetition of so many
miseries； wherefore； being willing to part with them as easily as I
may： I say that our Citie being in this case； voide of inhabitants； it
came to passe （as afterward I understoode by some of good credite）
that in the venerable Church of S。 Marie la Neufue； on a Tuesday
morning； there being then no other person； after the