Lo, a Pox

Lo, it came to pass that upon the land did descend an unwholesome pest from a flymouse at a heathen bazaar in far-off Cathay. Said pestilence did with uncommon haste spread throughout the realm before advent of the following calens. Verily, the toll it did take upon the feeble old and the sickly ill was terrible indeed. Forsooth, it was told even the hale and hearty be so bedeviled with newfound Cathay pox that all subjects must needs shroud the visage to ward off evil humors, and also must shelter in their place of domicile until supping the potion of salvation. Upon such sup of potion, the lord of the manner mayhap declare them well-heeled and whole, fit once again to sally forth and walk abroad upon the land as free men. Alack, any man who sup doth fail shall forthwith be rendered unto gaol.