Fish presents a fervent appeal to King Henry VIII, lamenting the plight of the poor and the burden placed upon them by the corrupt clergy, who he describes as "strong puissaunt and counterfeit holy, and ydell beggers." He argues that the excessive wealth gained through tithes, funerary fees, and other coercive means not only impoverishes the common people but also undermines the king’s authority and the overall well-being of the realm. Fish contends that these exploitative practices lead to societal decay, advocating for a system where the clergy should earn their living through honest work instead of begging and exploiting the vulnerable. The text is a passionate call for change, reflecting the growing tensions during the Reformation era as calls for accountability against ecclesiastical authority intensified. (This is an automatically generated summary.)