In a pamphlet appeared, the Grevious Groan for the Poor, which was attributed to Dekker, and underlined the peril the country faced, while condemning a widespread negligence: Though the number of the poor do daily increase, all things yet worketh for the worst on their behalf; for there hath been no collection for them, no, not these seven years, in many parishes in the land, especially in the country towns; but many of these parishes turneth forth their poor, yea, and their lusty labourers that will not work, or for any misdemeanour want work, to beg, filch and steal for their maintenance, so that the country is pitifully pestered with them.