The staple where thou dwellest is never free of fraud and trickery, wherewith man wounds his conscience.

O wool, Christians no less than pagans and Saracens seek to have thee and confess thee.

O wool, we should not be silent about thy doings in strange lands; for the merchants of all countries, in time of peace, in time of war, come to seek thee by reason of their great love, for whoever else hath enemies thou art never without good friends, who have given themselves to thy profitable service.

Thou art cherished throughout the world, and the land where thou art born may do great things by reason of thee.

Thou art carried throughout the world by land and sea, but thou goest to the wealthiest men; in England art thou born, but it is said that thou art but ill governed, for Trick, who hath much money, is made regent of thy staple; at his will he taketh it to foreign lands, where he purchaseth his own gain to our harm.