29Now carrie out compas, when haruest is donne,where barlie thou sowest, my champion sonne:Or laie it on heape, in the field as ye may,till carriage be faire, to haue it away.30Whose compas is rotten and carried in time,and spred as it should be,thrifts laddermayclime.[E367]Whose compas ispaltrieand carried too late,such husbandrie vseth that many doo hate.[E368]Carriage of fewell.31[14]Er winter preuenteth, while weather is good,forgallingof pasture get home with thy wood.And carrie out grauell to fill vp a hole:both timber and furzen, the turfe and thecole.Well placing of fewell.32Howsecharcole and sedge,chipand cole[15]of the land,pile tallwood and billet, stacke all that hath band.Blocks, rootes,[16]pole and bough, set vpright to thethetch:the neerer more handsome in winter to fetch.Houell for hogs.33In stacking ofbauen, and piling of logs,make vnder thy bauen a houell for hogs,And warmelie enclose it, all sauing the mouth,and that to stand open, and full to the south.34Once haruest dispatched, getwenchesandboies,and into the barne, afore all othertoies.Choisedseede to be picked andtrimliewell fide,for seede may no longer from threshing abide.35Get seede aforehand, in a readines had,or better prouide, if thine owne be too bad.Be carefull of seede, or else such as ye sowe,be sure at haruest, to reape or to mowe.Provision for Lent.36[17]When haruest is ended, take shipping or ride,Ling,[E369]Saltfish and Herring, for Lent to prouide.To buie it at first, as it commeth torode,shall paie for thy charges thou spendest abrode.37Choose skilfullie Saltfish, not burnt at the stone,[18]buie such as be good, or else let it alone.Get home that is bought, and goe stack it vp drie,with peasestrawe betweene it, the safer to lie.Compassing of barlie land.38Er euer yeiornie, cause seruant with speedeto compas thy barlie land where it is neede.One aker well compassed, passeth some three,thy barne shall at haruest declare it to thee.39This lesson is learned by riding about,the prices ofvittels, the yeere thorough out.Both what to be selling and what to refraine,and what to be buieng, to bring in againe.[E370]40Though buieng and selling doth woonderfull well,to such as haue skill how to buie and to sell:Yetchoppingand changing I cannot commend,with theefe[19]and hismarrow, for feare of ill end.41The rich in his bargaining needes not be tought,of buier and seller full far is he sought.Yet herein consisteth a part of my text,who buieth at first hand, and who at the next.Buieng at first hand.42At first hand he buieth that paieth all downe,at second, that hath not so much in the towne,At third hand he buieth that buieth of trust,at his hand who buieth shall paie for his lust.[E371]Readie monie bieth best cheape.43As oft as ye bargaine, for better or wurse,to buie it the cheaper, haue chinkes in thy purseTouchkept is commended, yet credit to keepe,is paie and dispatch him, er euer ye sleepe.Hauking.44Be mindfull abrode ofMihelmas[20]spring,for thereon dependeth a husbandlie thing:Though some haue a pleasure, with hauke vpon hand,good husbands get treasure, to purchase their land.Winter milch cow.45Thy market dispatched, turne home againe round,leastgapingfor penie, thou loosest[21]a pound:Prouide for thy wife, or else looke to beshent,good milch cow for winter, another for Lent.Old ewes.46In traueling homeward, buie fortie good crones,and fat vp the bodies of those seelie bones.Leaue milking and drie vp oldmulleythy cow,thecrookedand aged, to fatting put now.Buieng or selling of butter and chéese.47[22]AtBartilmewtide, or at Sturbridge faire,[E372]buie thatasis needfull, thy house to repaire:Then sell to thy profit, both butter and cheese,who buieth it sooner, the more he shall leese.Hops gathering.48If hops doo looke brownish, then are ye too slowe,if longer ye suffer those hops for to growe.Now sooner ye gather, more profit is found,if weather be faire and deaw of a ground.Increasing of hops.49Not breake off, but cut off, from hop the hop string,leaue growing a little againe for to spring.Whose hill about pared, and therewith new clad,shall nourish more sets against March to be had.The order of hops gathering.50Hop hillock discharged of euerielet,see then without breaking, ech pole ye out get.Which beingvntangledaboue in the tops,go carrie to such as are plucking of hops.Hop manger.51Takesoutageorhaier(that couers thekell),set like to a manger and fastened well:With poles vponcrotchisas high as thy brest,for sauing and[23]riddance is husbandrie best.[E373]Saue hop poles.52Hops had, the hop poles that are likelie preserue,(from breaking and rotting) againe for to serue:And plant ye with alders or willowes a[24]plot,where yeerelie as needeth mo poles may be got.Drieng of hops.53Some skilfullie drieth their hops on a kell,and some on a soller, oft turning them well.Kell dried will abide, foule weather or faire,where drieng and lieng in loft doodispaire.Kéeping of hops.54Some close them vp drie in a hogshed orfat,yetcanuasor soutage is better than that:By drieng and lieng they quickly be spilt:thus much haue I shewed, doo now as thou wilt.55Old fermer is forced long August to make,his goodes at more leisure away for to take.New fermer he thinketh ech houre a day,vntill the old fermer be packing away.[E374]
29Now carrie out compas, when haruest is donne,where barlie thou sowest, my champion sonne:Or laie it on heape, in the field as ye may,till carriage be faire, to haue it away.
30Whose compas is rotten and carried in time,and spred as it should be,thrifts laddermayclime.[E367]Whose compas ispaltrieand carried too late,such husbandrie vseth that many doo hate.[E368]
Carriage of fewell.
Carriage of fewell.
31[14]Er winter preuenteth, while weather is good,forgallingof pasture get home with thy wood.And carrie out grauell to fill vp a hole:both timber and furzen, the turfe and thecole.
Well placing of fewell.
Well placing of fewell.
32Howsecharcole and sedge,chipand cole[15]of the land,pile tallwood and billet, stacke all that hath band.Blocks, rootes,[16]pole and bough, set vpright to thethetch:the neerer more handsome in winter to fetch.
Houell for hogs.
Houell for hogs.
33In stacking ofbauen, and piling of logs,make vnder thy bauen a houell for hogs,And warmelie enclose it, all sauing the mouth,and that to stand open, and full to the south.
34Once haruest dispatched, getwenchesandboies,and into the barne, afore all othertoies.Choisedseede to be picked andtrimliewell fide,for seede may no longer from threshing abide.
35Get seede aforehand, in a readines had,or better prouide, if thine owne be too bad.Be carefull of seede, or else such as ye sowe,be sure at haruest, to reape or to mowe.
Provision for Lent.
Provision for Lent.
36[17]When haruest is ended, take shipping or ride,Ling,[E369]Saltfish and Herring, for Lent to prouide.To buie it at first, as it commeth torode,shall paie for thy charges thou spendest abrode.
37Choose skilfullie Saltfish, not burnt at the stone,[18]buie such as be good, or else let it alone.Get home that is bought, and goe stack it vp drie,with peasestrawe betweene it, the safer to lie.
Compassing of barlie land.
Compassing of barlie land.
38Er euer yeiornie, cause seruant with speedeto compas thy barlie land where it is neede.One aker well compassed, passeth some three,thy barne shall at haruest declare it to thee.
39This lesson is learned by riding about,the prices ofvittels, the yeere thorough out.Both what to be selling and what to refraine,and what to be buieng, to bring in againe.[E370]
40Though buieng and selling doth woonderfull well,to such as haue skill how to buie and to sell:Yetchoppingand changing I cannot commend,with theefe[19]and hismarrow, for feare of ill end.
41The rich in his bargaining needes not be tought,of buier and seller full far is he sought.Yet herein consisteth a part of my text,who buieth at first hand, and who at the next.
Buieng at first hand.
Buieng at first hand.
42At first hand he buieth that paieth all downe,at second, that hath not so much in the towne,At third hand he buieth that buieth of trust,at his hand who buieth shall paie for his lust.[E371]
Readie monie bieth best cheape.
Readie monie bieth best cheape.
43As oft as ye bargaine, for better or wurse,to buie it the cheaper, haue chinkes in thy purseTouchkept is commended, yet credit to keepe,is paie and dispatch him, er euer ye sleepe.
Hauking.
Hauking.
44Be mindfull abrode ofMihelmas[20]spring,for thereon dependeth a husbandlie thing:Though some haue a pleasure, with hauke vpon hand,good husbands get treasure, to purchase their land.
Winter milch cow.
Winter milch cow.
45Thy market dispatched, turne home againe round,leastgapingfor penie, thou loosest[21]a pound:Prouide for thy wife, or else looke to beshent,good milch cow for winter, another for Lent.
Old ewes.
Old ewes.
46In traueling homeward, buie fortie good crones,and fat vp the bodies of those seelie bones.Leaue milking and drie vp oldmulleythy cow,thecrookedand aged, to fatting put now.
Buieng or selling of butter and chéese.
Buieng or selling of butter and chéese.
47[22]AtBartilmewtide, or at Sturbridge faire,[E372]buie thatasis needfull, thy house to repaire:Then sell to thy profit, both butter and cheese,who buieth it sooner, the more he shall leese.
Hops gathering.
Hops gathering.
48If hops doo looke brownish, then are ye too slowe,if longer ye suffer those hops for to growe.Now sooner ye gather, more profit is found,if weather be faire and deaw of a ground.
Increasing of hops.
Increasing of hops.
49Not breake off, but cut off, from hop the hop string,leaue growing a little againe for to spring.Whose hill about pared, and therewith new clad,shall nourish more sets against March to be had.
The order of hops gathering.
The order of hops gathering.
50Hop hillock discharged of euerielet,see then without breaking, ech pole ye out get.Which beingvntangledaboue in the tops,go carrie to such as are plucking of hops.
Hop manger.
Hop manger.
51Takesoutageorhaier(that couers thekell),set like to a manger and fastened well:With poles vponcrotchisas high as thy brest,for sauing and[23]riddance is husbandrie best.[E373]
Saue hop poles.
Saue hop poles.
52Hops had, the hop poles that are likelie preserue,(from breaking and rotting) againe for to serue:And plant ye with alders or willowes a[24]plot,where yeerelie as needeth mo poles may be got.
Drieng of hops.
Drieng of hops.
53Some skilfullie drieth their hops on a kell,and some on a soller, oft turning them well.Kell dried will abide, foule weather or faire,where drieng and lieng in loft doodispaire.
Kéeping of hops.
Kéeping of hops.
54Some close them vp drie in a hogshed orfat,yetcanuasor soutage is better than that:By drieng and lieng they quickly be spilt:thus much haue I shewed, doo now as thou wilt.
55Old fermer is forced long August to make,his goodes at more leisure away for to take.New fermer he thinketh ech houre a day,vntill the old fermer be packing away.[E374]
[1]after. 1577.
[1]after. 1577.
[2]"Saffron makes a very good Sward, whereon Linnen may lye hollow and bleach well enough."—T.R.
[2]"Saffron makes a very good Sward, whereon Linnen may lye hollow and bleach well enough."—T.R.
[3]Stanza 5 is wanting in 1573 (M.) and 1577.
[3]Stanza 5 is wanting in 1573 (M.) and 1577.
[4]"Beating it upon a Hurdle or some other rough thing."—T.R.
[4]"Beating it upon a Hurdle or some other rough thing."—T.R.
[5]St. 6 is wanting in 1573 (M.) and 1577.
[5]St. 6 is wanting in 1573 (M.) and 1577.
[6]doth. 1614.
[6]doth. 1614.
[7]"Our Author is justly against letting Harvest by the great, for whoever does will certainly find himself cheated or slighted."—T.R.
[7]"Our Author is justly against letting Harvest by the great, for whoever does will certainly find himself cheated or slighted."—T.R.
[8]"Some stay'd sober working man, who understands all sorts of Harvest Work."—T.R. Cf. Matt. ix. 38.
[8]"Some stay'd sober working man, who understands all sorts of Harvest Work."—T.R. Cf. Matt. ix. 38.
[9]"Where the Wheat is thistly."—T.R.
[9]"Where the Wheat is thistly."—T.R.
[10]Stanzas 11, 14, and 15 are not in 1577.
[10]Stanzas 11, 14, and 15 are not in 1577.
[11]"This alludes to the custom of Norfolk, where the Parson takes his Tyth in the Swarth, the Farmer also clears the Swarths, and afterwards with a Drag-Rake rakes his ground all over."—T.R.
[11]"This alludes to the custom of Norfolk, where the Parson takes his Tyth in the Swarth, the Farmer also clears the Swarths, and afterwards with a Drag-Rake rakes his ground all over."—T.R.
[12]"Tidy is an old Word signifying neat, proper, or in Season, from the word Tide."—T.R.
[12]"Tidy is an old Word signifying neat, proper, or in Season, from the word Tide."—T.R.
[13]Not in editions previous to 1580 (M.). Portions are in Septembers Husbandry 1577.—Ed.
[13]Not in editions previous to 1580 (M.). Portions are in Septembers Husbandry 1577.—Ed.
[14]Stanzas 31-33 are in Septembers Husbandry. 1577.
[14]Stanzas 31-33 are in Septembers Husbandry. 1577.
[15]turfe. 1577.
[15]turfe. 1577.
[16]Block rootes. 1577.
[16]Block rootes. 1577.
[17]Sts. 36-46 appear as sts. 25-35 in Septembers Husbandry. 1577.
[17]Sts. 36-46 appear as sts. 25-35 in Septembers Husbandry. 1577.
[18]"Such Fish as is dry'd on the Beach in too hot Weather."—T.R.
[18]"Such Fish as is dry'd on the Beach in too hot Weather."—T.R.
[19]knaue. 1577.
[19]knaue. 1577.
[20]Mighelmas. 1577.
[20]Mighelmas. 1577.
[21]lossest. 1577.
[21]lossest. 1577.
[22]Sts. 47-54 occur as sts. 49-56 of Septembers Husbandry. 1577.
[22]Sts. 47-54 occur as sts. 49-56 of Septembers Husbandry. 1577.
[23]of. 1577.
[23]of. 1577.
[24]some. 1577.
[24]some. 1577.
1One part cast forth, for rent due out of hand,[E375]2One other part, for seede to sowe thy land.3Another part, leaue Parson for his tieth.4Another part for haruest, sickle and sieth.5One part forplowwrite,cartwrite,knackerand smith,6One part to vphold thyteemesthat drawe therewith.7One part for seruant and workmans wages lay.8One part likewise for filbellie day by day.For naperie sope and candle, salt and sauce, tinker[2]and cooper, brasse and pewter.9One part thy wife for needfull things doth craue.10Thy selfe and childe, the last one part would haue.[11]Who minds tocote,vpon this note,may easily find ynough:What charge and paine,to litle gaine,doth follow toiling plough.[12]Yet fermer maythanke God and say,for yeerlie such good hap:Well fare the plough,[E376]that sends ynoughto stop so many a gap.
1One part cast forth, for rent due out of hand,[E375]
2One other part, for seede to sowe thy land.
3Another part, leaue Parson for his tieth.
4Another part for haruest, sickle and sieth.
5One part forplowwrite,cartwrite,knackerand smith,
6One part to vphold thyteemesthat drawe therewith.
7One part for seruant and workmans wages lay.
8One part likewise for filbellie day by day.
For naperie sope and candle, salt and sauce, tinker[2]and cooper, brasse and pewter.
For naperie sope and candle, salt and sauce, tinker[2]and cooper, brasse and pewter.
9One part thy wife for needfull things doth craue.
10Thy selfe and childe, the last one part would haue.
[11]Who minds tocote,vpon this note,may easily find ynough:What charge and paine,to litle gaine,doth follow toiling plough.
[12]Yet fermer maythanke God and say,for yeerlie such good hap:Well fare the plough,[E376]that sends ynoughto stop so many a gap.
[1]This chapter is wanting in 1573 (M.); but is in 1577.
[1]This chapter is wanting in 1573 (M.); but is in 1577.
[2]timber. 1577.
[2]timber. 1577.
Triue for contriue.Thethriftiethat teacheth the thriuing to thriue,Teach timelie totrauersethe thing that thoutriue.Transferring thy toiling, to timelines tought.This teacheth thee temprance, to temper thy thought.Take trustie (to trust to) that thinkest to thee,That trustily thriftinestrowlethto thee.Then temper thy trauell to tarie the tide,This teacheth thee thriftines twentie times tride.Take thankfull thytalent, thanke thankfully thoseThat thriftilie teacheth thy time totranspose.Trothtwiseto thee teached, teach twentie times ten.This trade thou that takest, take thrift to thee then.[E377]
Triue for contriue.
Triue for contriue.
Thethriftiethat teacheth the thriuing to thriue,Teach timelie totrauersethe thing that thoutriue.Transferring thy toiling, to timelines tought.This teacheth thee temprance, to temper thy thought.
Take trustie (to trust to) that thinkest to thee,That trustily thriftinestrowlethto thee.Then temper thy trauell to tarie the tide,This teacheth thee thriftines twentie times tride.
Take thankfull thytalent, thanke thankfully thoseThat thriftilie teacheth thy time totranspose.Trothtwiseto thee teached, teach twentie times ten.This trade thou that takest, take thrift to thee then.[E377]
¶ Mans age deuided here ye haue,Byprentiships, from birth to his graue.
¶ Mans age deuided here ye haue,Byprentiships, from birth to his graue.
7.The first seuen yeers bring vp as a childe,[E378]14.The next to learning, for waxing too wilde.21.The next keepe vnder sirhobbard de hoy,28.The next a man no longer a boy.35.The next, letlustielaie wisely to wiue,42.The next, laie now or else neuer to thriue.49.The next, make sure for terme of thy life,56.The next, saue somewhat for children and wife.63.The next, bestaied, giue ouer thy lust,70.The next, thinke hourely whither thou must.77.The next, get chaire andcrotchesto stay,84.The next, to heauen God send vs the way.
Who looseth their youth, shall rue it in age:Who hateth the truth, in sorowe shall rage.
Who looseth their youth, shall rue it in age:Who hateth the truth, in sorowe shall rage.
The Ape, the Lion, the Foxe, the Asse,Thus sets foorth man, as in a glasse.
The Ape, the Lion, the Foxe, the Asse,Thus sets foorth man, as in a glasse.
ApeLike Apes we betoieng, till twentie and one,LyonThen hastie as Lions till fortie be gone:FoxeThen wilie as Foxes, till threescore and three,AsseThen after for Asses accounted[1]we bee.
Who plaies with his better, this lesson must knowe,what humblenes Foxe to the Lion doth owe.Foxe, Ape with his toieng[E379]and rudenes of Asse,brings (out of good hower) displeasure to passe.
Who plaies with his better, this lesson must knowe,what humblenes Foxe to the Lion doth owe.Foxe, Ape with his toieng[E379]and rudenes of Asse,brings (out of good hower) displeasure to passe.
[1]accompted. 1577.
[1]accompted. 1577.
1Ill husbandriebraggeth,to go with the best:Good husbandrie baggethvp gold in his chest.2Ill husbandry trudgeth,with vnthrifts about:Good husbandrysnudgeth,for fear of a dout.3Ill husbandrie spendethabrode like amome:Good husbandrietendethhis charges at home.4Ill husbandrie sellethhis corne on the ground:Good husbandrie smellethno gain that way found.5Ill husbandrie loseth,for lack of good fence:Good husbandriecloseth,and gaineth the pence.6Ill husbandrie trustethto him and to hur:[E381]Good husbandrie lustethhimselfe for tostur.7Ill husbandrie eatethhimselfe out a doore:Good husbandriemeatethhis friend and the poore.8Ill husbandriedaieth,[E382]or letteth it lie:Good husbandrie paieth,the cheaper to bie.9Ill husbandrielurketh,and stealeth a sleepe:Good husbandrie worketh,his houshold to kéepe.10Ill husbandrie liueth,by that and by this:[E383]Good husbandrie giuethto erie man his.11Ill husbandrie taketh,and spendeth vp all:Good husbandrie makethgood shift with a small.12Ill husbandry praiethhis wife to make shift:Good husbandrie saiethtake this of my gift.13Ill husbandrydrowsethat fortune soauke:Good husbandrie rowsethhimselfe as a hauke.14Ill husbandrie liethin prison for debt:Good husbandrie spiethwhere profit to get.15Ill husbandrie waieshas tofraudwhat he canGood husbandrie praieshath of euerie man.16Ill husbandrie neuerhath welth to keep touchGood husbandrie euerhath penie inpouch.[17]Good husband hisboone,Or request hath a far.Ill husband assooneHath a tode with an R.[E384]
1Ill husbandriebraggeth,to go with the best:Good husbandrie baggethvp gold in his chest.
2Ill husbandry trudgeth,with vnthrifts about:Good husbandrysnudgeth,for fear of a dout.
3Ill husbandrie spendethabrode like amome:Good husbandrietendethhis charges at home.
4Ill husbandrie sellethhis corne on the ground:Good husbandrie smellethno gain that way found.
5Ill husbandrie loseth,for lack of good fence:Good husbandriecloseth,and gaineth the pence.
6Ill husbandrie trustethto him and to hur:[E381]Good husbandrie lustethhimselfe for tostur.
7Ill husbandrie eatethhimselfe out a doore:Good husbandriemeatethhis friend and the poore.
8Ill husbandriedaieth,[E382]or letteth it lie:Good husbandrie paieth,the cheaper to bie.
9Ill husbandrielurketh,and stealeth a sleepe:Good husbandrie worketh,his houshold to kéepe.
10Ill husbandrie liueth,by that and by this:[E383]Good husbandrie giuethto erie man his.
11Ill husbandrie taketh,and spendeth vp all:Good husbandrie makethgood shift with a small.
12Ill husbandry praiethhis wife to make shift:Good husbandrie saiethtake this of my gift.
13Ill husbandrydrowsethat fortune soauke:Good husbandrie rowsethhimselfe as a hauke.
14Ill husbandrie liethin prison for debt:Good husbandrie spiethwhere profit to get.
15Ill husbandrie waieshas tofraudwhat he canGood husbandrie praieshath of euerie man.
16Ill husbandrie neuerhath welth to keep touchGood husbandrie euerhath penie inpouch.
[17]Good husband hisboone,Or request hath a far.Ill husband assooneHath a tode with an R.[E384]
1The countrie[1]enclosed I praise,the tother delighteth not me,For nothing the wealth it doth raise,to such as inferior be.How both of them partly I knowe,here somewhat Imindfor to showe.[2]Champion.2There swineherd that keepeth the hog,thereneatherd, with cur and his horne,There shepherd with whistle and dog,befenceto the medowe and corne.There horse beingtideon abalke,is readie with theefe for to walke.3Where all thing in common doth rest,corne field with the pasture andmeade,Though common ye doo for the best,yet what doth it stand ye insteade?There common as commoners vse,for otherwise shalt thou not chuse.[3]4Whatlaiermuch better then there,or cheaper (thereon to doo well?)What drudgerie more any wherelesse good thereof where can ye tell?What gotten by Sommer is seene:in Winter is eaten vp cleene.5Example by Leicester shire,what soile can be better than that?For any thing hart can desire,and yet doth it want ye see what.Mast,couert, close pasture, and wood,and other things needfull as good.Enclosure.6All these doo enclosure bring,experience teacheth no lesse,I speake not to boast of the thing,but onely a troth to expresse.Example (if doubt ye doo make):by Suffolke and Essex go take.[E385]Seuerall.7More plentie of mutton and biefe,corne, butter, and cheese of the best,More wealth any where (to be briefe),more people, more handsome andprest,Where find ye? (go search anycoast)than there where enclosure is most.8More worke for the labouring man,as well in the towne as the feeld:Or thereof (deuise if ye can)more profit what countries doo yeeld?More seldome where see ye the poore,go begging from doore vnto doore?Champion countrie.9In Norfolke behold thedispaireof tillage too much to be borne:By drouers from faire to faire,and others destroieng the corne.By custome and couetouspates,by gaps, and by opening of gates.[4][E386]10What speake I of commoners by,with drawing all after a line:So noieng the corne, as it ly,with cattle, withconies,[5]and swine.When thou[6]hast bestowed thy cost,looke halfe of the same to be lost.11The flocks of the Lords of the soiledo yeerly the winter corne wrong:The same in a manner they spoile,with feeding soloweand so long.And therefore that champion feelddoth seldome good winter corne yeeld.Champion noiances.12[7]By Cambridge a towne I doo knowe,where many good husbands doo dwell;Whose losses byloselsdoth showe,[E387]more here than is needfull to tell:Determine at court what they shall,performed is nothing at all.[E388]13The champion robbeth by night,and prowleth andfilchethby day:Himselfe and his beast out of sight,both spoileth and maketh awayNot onely thy grasse, but thy corne,both after, and er it be shorne.14Pease bolt with thy pease he will haue,his houshold to feede and his hog:Now stealeth he, now will he craue,and now will hecoosenandcog.In Bridewell a number be stript,lesse woorthie than theefe to be whipt.[E389]15Theoxboy, as ill is as hee,orworser, if worse may be found:For spoiling from thine and from thee,of grasse and of corne on the ground.Laie neuer so well for to saue it,by night or by daie he will haue it.16What orchard vnrobbed escapes?orpulletdare walke in their jet?But homeward or outward (like apes)they count it their owne they can get.Lord, if ye doo take them,[E390]whatsturs!how hold they togither likeburs!17For commons these commoners crie,enclosing they may not abide:Yet some be not able to biea cow with hir calfe by hir side.Nor laie not to liue by their wurke,but theeuishlie loiter and lurke.18The Lord of the towne is to blame,for these and for many faults mo.[E391]For that he doth knowe of the same,yet lets it vnpunished go.Such Lords ill example doth giue,whereverlets[E392]and drabs so may liue.19What footpathes are made, and how brode!annoiance too much to be borne:With horse and with cattle what rodeis made thorow erie mans corne!Where champions ruleth theroste,[E393]there dailie disorder is moste.20Their sheepe when they driue for to wash,how careles such sheepe they doo guide!The fermer they leaue in thelash,with losses on euerie side.Though any mans corne they doo bite,they will not alow him amite.21What hunting and hauking is there!corne looking for sickle at hand:Actes lawles to doo without feare,howyeerlie[8]togither they band.More harme to another to doo,than they would be done so vntoo.22More profit isquieterfound(where pastures in seuerall bee:)Of one seelie aker of ground,than champion maketh of three.Againe what a ioie is it knowne,when men may beboldof their owne!Champion.Seuerall.23The tone is commended for graine,yet bread made of beanes they doo eate:The tother for one loafe haue twaine,ofmastlin, of rie, or of wheate.The champion liueth full bare,when woodland full merie doth fare.Champion.Seuerall.24Tone giueth his corne in adarth,to horse, sheepe, and hog euery daie;The tother giue cattle warme barth,and feede them with strawe and withhaie.Corne spent of the tone so in vaine:the tother doth sell to his gaine.Champion.Seuerall.25Tone barefoote and ragged doth go,and readie in winter to sterue:When tother ye see doo not so,but hath that is needfull to serue.Tone paine in a cotage doth take,when tother trim bowers doo make.Champion.Seuerall.26Tone laieth for turfe and for sedge,and hath it with woonderfull suit:When tother in euerie hedge,hath plentie of fewell and fruit.Euils twentie times worser than thease,enclosure quickly would ease.Seuerall.27In woodland the poore men that hauescarse fully two akers of land,More merily liue and doo saue,than tother with twentie in hand.Yet paie they as much for the twooas tother for twentie must doo.28The labourer comming from thence,in woodland to worke any where:(I warrant you) goeth not hence,to worke anie more againe there.If this same be true (as it is:)why gather they nothing of this?29The poore at enclosing doo grutch,because of abuses that fall,Least some man should haue but too much,and some againe nothing at all.If order might therein be found,what were to the seuerall ground?
1The countrie[1]enclosed I praise,the tother delighteth not me,For nothing the wealth it doth raise,to such as inferior be.How both of them partly I knowe,here somewhat Imindfor to showe.[2]
Champion.
Champion.
2There swineherd that keepeth the hog,thereneatherd, with cur and his horne,There shepherd with whistle and dog,befenceto the medowe and corne.There horse beingtideon abalke,is readie with theefe for to walke.
3Where all thing in common doth rest,corne field with the pasture andmeade,Though common ye doo for the best,yet what doth it stand ye insteade?There common as commoners vse,for otherwise shalt thou not chuse.[3]
4Whatlaiermuch better then there,or cheaper (thereon to doo well?)What drudgerie more any wherelesse good thereof where can ye tell?What gotten by Sommer is seene:in Winter is eaten vp cleene.
5Example by Leicester shire,what soile can be better than that?For any thing hart can desire,and yet doth it want ye see what.Mast,couert, close pasture, and wood,and other things needfull as good.
Enclosure.
Enclosure.
6All these doo enclosure bring,experience teacheth no lesse,I speake not to boast of the thing,but onely a troth to expresse.Example (if doubt ye doo make):by Suffolke and Essex go take.[E385]
Seuerall.
Seuerall.
7More plentie of mutton and biefe,corne, butter, and cheese of the best,More wealth any where (to be briefe),more people, more handsome andprest,Where find ye? (go search anycoast)than there where enclosure is most.
8More worke for the labouring man,as well in the towne as the feeld:Or thereof (deuise if ye can)more profit what countries doo yeeld?More seldome where see ye the poore,go begging from doore vnto doore?
Champion countrie.
Champion countrie.
9In Norfolke behold thedispaireof tillage too much to be borne:By drouers from faire to faire,and others destroieng the corne.By custome and couetouspates,by gaps, and by opening of gates.[4][E386]
10What speake I of commoners by,with drawing all after a line:So noieng the corne, as it ly,with cattle, withconies,[5]and swine.When thou[6]hast bestowed thy cost,looke halfe of the same to be lost.
11The flocks of the Lords of the soiledo yeerly the winter corne wrong:The same in a manner they spoile,with feeding soloweand so long.And therefore that champion feelddoth seldome good winter corne yeeld.
Champion noiances.
Champion noiances.
12[7]By Cambridge a towne I doo knowe,where many good husbands doo dwell;Whose losses byloselsdoth showe,[E387]more here than is needfull to tell:Determine at court what they shall,performed is nothing at all.[E388]
13The champion robbeth by night,and prowleth andfilchethby day:Himselfe and his beast out of sight,both spoileth and maketh awayNot onely thy grasse, but thy corne,both after, and er it be shorne.
14Pease bolt with thy pease he will haue,his houshold to feede and his hog:Now stealeth he, now will he craue,and now will hecoosenandcog.In Bridewell a number be stript,lesse woorthie than theefe to be whipt.[E389]
15Theoxboy, as ill is as hee,orworser, if worse may be found:For spoiling from thine and from thee,of grasse and of corne on the ground.Laie neuer so well for to saue it,by night or by daie he will haue it.
16What orchard vnrobbed escapes?orpulletdare walke in their jet?But homeward or outward (like apes)they count it their owne they can get.Lord, if ye doo take them,[E390]whatsturs!how hold they togither likeburs!
17For commons these commoners crie,enclosing they may not abide:Yet some be not able to biea cow with hir calfe by hir side.Nor laie not to liue by their wurke,but theeuishlie loiter and lurke.
18The Lord of the towne is to blame,for these and for many faults mo.[E391]For that he doth knowe of the same,yet lets it vnpunished go.Such Lords ill example doth giue,whereverlets[E392]and drabs so may liue.
19What footpathes are made, and how brode!annoiance too much to be borne:With horse and with cattle what rodeis made thorow erie mans corne!Where champions ruleth theroste,[E393]there dailie disorder is moste.
20Their sheepe when they driue for to wash,how careles such sheepe they doo guide!The fermer they leaue in thelash,with losses on euerie side.Though any mans corne they doo bite,they will not alow him amite.
21What hunting and hauking is there!corne looking for sickle at hand:Actes lawles to doo without feare,howyeerlie[8]togither they band.More harme to another to doo,than they would be done so vntoo.
22More profit isquieterfound(where pastures in seuerall bee:)Of one seelie aker of ground,than champion maketh of three.Againe what a ioie is it knowne,when men may beboldof their owne!
Champion.Seuerall.
Champion.
Seuerall.
23The tone is commended for graine,yet bread made of beanes they doo eate:The tother for one loafe haue twaine,ofmastlin, of rie, or of wheate.The champion liueth full bare,when woodland full merie doth fare.
Champion.Seuerall.
Champion.
Seuerall.
24Tone giueth his corne in adarth,to horse, sheepe, and hog euery daie;The tother giue cattle warme barth,and feede them with strawe and withhaie.Corne spent of the tone so in vaine:the tother doth sell to his gaine.
Champion.Seuerall.
Champion.
Seuerall.
25Tone barefoote and ragged doth go,and readie in winter to sterue:When tother ye see doo not so,but hath that is needfull to serue.Tone paine in a cotage doth take,when tother trim bowers doo make.
Champion.Seuerall.
Champion.
Seuerall.
26Tone laieth for turfe and for sedge,and hath it with woonderfull suit:When tother in euerie hedge,hath plentie of fewell and fruit.Euils twentie times worser than thease,enclosure quickly would ease.
Seuerall.
Seuerall.
27In woodland the poore men that hauescarse fully two akers of land,More merily liue and doo saue,than tother with twentie in hand.Yet paie they as much for the twooas tother for twentie must doo.
28The labourer comming from thence,in woodland to worke any where:(I warrant you) goeth not hence,to worke anie more againe there.If this same be true (as it is:)why gather they nothing of this?
29The poore at enclosing doo grutch,because of abuses that fall,Least some man should haue but too much,and some againe nothing at all.If order might therein be found,what were to the seuerall ground?
* * * "It is likely this was wrote soon after Ket's rebellion, as a dissuasive from the like, and to persuade the poorer sort quietly to endure Enclosures."—T.R.