A Sixteenth-Century Political Prophecy Inspired by Piers Plowman

This note discusses “When wealth is walked away,” a sixteenth-century English political prophecy that shows a remarkable affinity for PPl. The poem, whose dystopian vision probably reflects opposition to enclosure, includes characters, allegorical motifs, and political provocations characteristic of L’s writing. “When wealth is walked away” constitutes yet another direct connection between PPl and the genre of political prophecy in sixteenth-century literary culture. The note includes a complete edited text of “When wealth is walked away.” (EW)