Chapter V: Part 5

[12] Thus dairie maid Cisley, rehearsed ye see, what faults with ill huswife, in dairie house bee. Of market abhorred, to houshold a griefe, to maister and mistris, as ill as a thiefe.

Thus endeth Aprils husbandrie.

[1] With bishop that turneth and burneth up all. 1573 (M.) and 1577.

[2] if. 1577.

[3] "Floting is taking off the Cream."--T.R.

[4] "Because she did not work the Curd well together."--T.R.

[5] "An inner corruption.... Chiefly occasioned from their using milk soon after calving."--T.R.

[6]

Amend so oft beaten
for doing amisse. 1577.

50.

¶ _Maies abstract.

Chap._ 39.

1 Put lambe from eawe, to milke a feawe.

2 Be not too bold, to milke and to fold.

3 Fiue eawes alow, to euerie cow.

4 Shéepe wrigling taile hath mads without faile.

5 Beat hard in the réede where house hath néede.

6 Leaue cropping from May to Mihelmas day. Let Iuie be killed, else trée will be spilled.

7 Now threshers warne to rid the barne.

8 Be suer of hay till thend of May.

9 Let shéepe fill flanke, where corne is too ranke. In woodland leuer,[1] in champion neuer.

10 To wéeding away, as soone as yée may.

11 For corne here réede,[E302] what naughtie wéede.

12 Who wéeding slacketh, good husbandrie lacketh.

13 Sowe buck or branke, that smels so ranke.

14 Thy branke go and sowe, where barlie did growe. The next crop wheat is husbandrie neat.

15 Sowe pescods some, for haruest to come.

16 Sowe hemp and flacks, that spinning lacks.

17 Teach hop to clime, for now it is time.

18 Through fowles & wéedes poore hop ill spéedes. Cut off or crop superfluous hop: The titters or tine makes hop to pine.[2]

19 Some raketh their wheat, with rake that is great. So titters and tine be gotten out fine.

20 Now[3] sets doe craue some wéeding to haue.

21 Now draine as ye like both fen and dike.

22 Watch bées in May, for swarming away. Both now and in June, marke maister bées tune.

23 Twifallow thy land, least plough else stand.

24 No longer tarrie, out compas to carrie.

25 Where néede doth pray it, there sée ye lay it.

26 Set Jack and Jone to gather vp stone.

27 To grasse with thy calues, take nothing to halues.[E303]

28 Be suer thy neat haue water and meat.

29 By tainting of ground, destruction is found.

30 Now carrege get home fewell to fet. Tell fagot and billet for filching gillet.[E304]

31 In sommer for firing let citie be buying. Marke colliers packing least coles be lacking. (Sée opened sack) for two in a pack.

32 Let nodding patch go sléepe a snatch.

33 Wife as[4] you will, now plie your still.

34 Fine bazell[5] sowe, in a pot to growe. Fine séedes sowe now, before ye sawe how.

35 Kéepe ox from cow, for causes ynow.

Thus endeth Maies abstract, agréeing with Maies husbandrie.

¶ Two other short remembrances.

[36] From bull cow fast till Crowchmas[6] be past. From heifer bul hid thée till Lammas[7] doth bid thée.

Here ends Maies short remembrances.

* * * Sts. 14, 15, 19, are not in 1577.

[1] euer. 1577.

[2] now take out fine. 1577.

[3] New. 1577.

[4] yf. 1577.

[5] Bezell. 1577.

[6] Saint Helens daie (_side note_).

[7] August (_side note_).

51.

_Maies husbandrie.

Chap._ 40.

Cold Maie and windie, Barne filleth vp finelie.

Forgotten month past, Doe now at the last.

[Sidenote: Essex and Suffolke.]

1 At Philip and Jacob,[E305] away with the lams that thinkest to haue any milke of their dams. At Lammas leaue milking, for feare of a thing: least (_requiem æternam_) in winter they sing.

[Sidenote: Milking of eawes.]

2 To milke and to fold them is much to require, except yee haue pasture to fil their desire. Yet manie by milking (such heede they doo take), not hurting their bodies much profit doo make.

[Sidenote: ¶]

3 Fiue eawes to a cow, make a proofe by a score, shall double thy dairie, else trust me no more. Yet may a good huswife that knoweth the skill, haue mixt and vnmixt at hir pleasure and will.

4 If sheepe or thy lambe fall a wrigling with taile, go by and by search it, whiles helpe may preuaile: That barberlie handled[E306] I dare thee assure, cast dust in his arse, thou hast finisht thy cure.

5 Where houses be reeded[1] (as houses haue neede), now pare off the mosse, and go beat in the reed. The iuster ye driue it, the smoother and plaine, more handsome ye make it to shut off the raine.

[Sidenote: Leaue off cropping.]

[Sidenote: Destroie Iuie.]

6 From Maie til October leaue cropping, for why? in wood sere, whatsoeuer thou croppest wil dy. Where Iuie imbraceth the tree verie sore, kill Iuie, or else tree wil addle no more.[E307]

7 Keepe threshing for thresher, til Maie be come in, to haue to be suer fresh chaffe in the bin. And somewhat to scamble, for hog and for hen, and worke when it raineth for loitering men.[E308]

[Sidenote: Count store no sore.]

8 Be sure of haie and of prouender some, for labouring cattel til pasture be come. And if ye doo mind to haue nothing to sterue, haue one thing or other, for all thing to serue.

9 Ground compassed wel and a following[2] yeare, (if wheat or thy barlie too ranke doo appeare) Now eat it with sheepe or else mowe it ye may, for ledging, and so, to the birds for a pray.

[Sidenote: ¶ Wéeding.]

10 In Maie get a weede hooke, a crotch and a gloue,[E309] and weed out such weedes as the corne doth not loue: For weeding of winter corne now it is best, but June is the better for weeding the rest.

[Sidenote: Ill wéeds.]

11 The May weed doth burn[E310] and the thistle doth freat,[E311] the fitchis[3] pul downward,[E312] both rie and the wheat. The brake and the cockle[E313] be noisome too much, yet like vnto boddle[E314] no weede there is such.

[Sidenote: ¶]

12 Slack neuer thy weeding, for dearth nor for cheape, the corne shall reward it er euer ye reape. And specially where ye doo trust for to seede,[4] let that be well vsed, the better to speede.

[Sidenote: Sowing of branke.]

13 In Maie is good sowing, thy buck[E315] or thy branke,[E316] that black is as pepper, and smelleth so ranke. It is to thy land, as a comfort or muck, and al thing it maketh as fat as a buck.

14[5] Sowe buck after barlie, or after thy wheat, a peck to a roode (if the measure be great); Three earthes see ye giue it, and sowe it aboue, and harrow it finelie if buck ye doo loue.

15 Who pescods would gather, to haue with the last, to serue for his houshold till haruest be past, Must sowe them in Maie, in a corner ye shal, where through so late growing no hindrance may fal.[E317]

[Sidenote: ¶ Sowing of flax and hempe.]

16 Good flax and good hemp for to haue of hir owne, in Maie a good huswife will see it be sowne. And afterward trim it, to serue at a neede, the fimble to spin and the karl for hir seede.[E318]

17 Get into the hopyard, for now it is time,[6] to teach Robin hop on his pole how to clime: To follow the Sunne, as his propertie is,[E319] and weede him and trim him, if aught go amis.

[Sidenote: Ill neighbours to the hop.]

18 Grasse, thistle and mustard seede, hemlock and bur, tine, mallow and nettle, that keepe such a stur. With peacock and turkie, that nibbles off top, are verie ill neighbors to seelie poore hop.

19 From wheat go and rake out the titters or tine, if eare be not foorth, it will rise againe fine. Use now in thy rie, little raking or none, breake tine[7] from his roote, and so let it alone.[E320]

[Sidenote: Wéeding of quickset.]

20 Bankes newly quicksetted, some weeding doo craue, the kindlier nourishment thereby to haue. Then after a shower to weeding a snatch, more easilie weede with the roote to dispatch.

[Sidenote: Now draine ditches.]

21 The fen and the quamire,[8][E321] so marrish be kind, and are to be drained, now wine to thy mind: Which yeerelie vndrained and suffered vncut, annoieth the meadowes that thereon doo but.

[Sidenote: ¶ Swarming of bées.]

22 Take heede to thy bees, that are readie to swarme, the losse thereof now is a crownes worth of harme:[9] Let skilfull be readie and diligence seene, least being too careles, thou losest thy beene.

[Sidenote: Twifallowing.]

23 In Maie at the furthest, twifallow thy land, much drout may else after cause plough for to stand: This tilth being done, ye haue passed the wurst, then after who ploweth, plow thou with the furst.

[Sidenote: Carie out compas.]

24 Twifallow once ended, get tumbrell and man, and compas that fallow as soone as ye can. Let skilfull bestow it, where neede is vpon, more profit the sooner to follow[10] thereon.

25 Hide hedlonds with muck, if ye will to the knees, so dripped and shadowd with bushes and trees:[E322] Bare plots full of galles,[11] if ye plow ouerthwart, and compas it then, is a husbandlie part.

26 Let children be hired, to lay to their bones, from fallow as needeth to gather vp stones. What wisedome for profit aduiseth vnto, that husband and huswife must willingly do.

[Sidenote: Forth to grasse with thy calues.]

27 To gras with thy calues in some medow plot nere, where neither their mothers may see them nor here. Where water is plentie and barth to sit warme, and looke well vnto them, for taking of harme.

[Sidenote: Let not cattel want water.]

28 Pinch neuer thy wennels of water or meat, if euer ye hope for to haue them good neat: In Sommer time dailie, in Winter in frost, if cattel lack drinke, they be vtterly lost.

[Sidenote: Ouerlay not thy pastures.]

29 For coueting much ouerlay not thy ground, and then shall thy cattel be lustie and sound. But pinch them of pasture, while Sommer doth last, and lift at their tailes er an Winter be past.[E323]

[Sidenote: Get home thy fewel.]

30 Get home with thy fewell, made readie to fet, the sooner the easier carrege to get: Or otherwise linger the carrege thereon, till (where as ye left it) a quarter be gon.

[Sidenote: Husbandrie for Citizens.]

31 His firing in Sommer, let Citizen buie, least buieng in Winter make purse for to crie. For carman and collier harps both on a string, in Winter they cast to be with thee to bring.[12]

[Sidenote: Sléeping time.[E324]]

32 From Maie to mid August, an hower or two, let patch[E325] sleepe a snatch, how soeuer ye do, Though sleeping one hower refresheth his song, yet trust not hob growthed[E326] for sleeping too long.

[Sidenote: ¶ Stilling of herbes.]

33 The knowledge of stilling is one pretie feat, The waters be holesome, the charges not great.[E327] What timelie thou gettest, while Sommer doth last, thinke Winter will helpe thee, to spend it as fast.

[Sidenote: ¶]

34 Fine bazell desireth it may be hir lot, to growe as the gilloflower, trim in a pot, That ladies and gentils, for whom she doth serue, may helpe hir as needeth, poore life to preserue.[13]

35 Keepe oxe fro thy cow that to profit would go, least cow be deceiued by oxe dooing so: And thou recompenced for suffering the same, with want of a calfe and a cow to wax lame.

Thus endeth Maies husbandrie.

[1] "Reeding is no where so well done as in Norfolk and Suffolk.... It will bear a better slope than any other thatch."--T.R.

[2] See footnote 10, below.

[3] "or, as some call it, the Tine-tare."--T.R.

[4] to for seed. 1577.

[5] Sts. 14 and 15 are not in 1577.

[6] "I am told that 20_s._ an acre is the common Price for looking after a hop ground."--T.R.

[7] Misprinted "time."

[8] quamer. 1577.

[9] "The Proverb says, 'A Swarm in May is worth a Load of Hay.'"--T.R. 1710. Mavor says a swarm might fetch 15_s._ in his time (1812).

[10] The author of _Tusser Redivivus_ and Mavor prefer _fallow_; though M. says that all standard editions read _follow_. Cf. st. 9, above.

[11] gales. 1577.

[12] "In our Author's time, and not long since, the Yarmouth and Ipswich Colliers were laid up in the Winter, and then the Spring Market was always dearest."--T.R.

[13] "Most people stroak Garden Basil, which leaves a grateful Smell on the Hand; and he will have it, that such stroaking from a fair lady preserves the life of the Basil."--T.R.

52.

¶ _Junes abstract.

Chap._ 41.

1 Wash shéep for to share, that shéepe may go bare.

2 Though fléese ye take, no patches make.

3 Share lambes no whit, or share not yit.

4 If meadow be growne, let meadow be mowne.

5 Plough early ye may, and then carrie hay.

6 Tis good to be knowne, to haue all of thine owne. Who goeth a borrowing, goeth a sorrowing.[E328]

7 Sée cart in plight, and all things right.

8 Make drie ouer hed, both houell and shed.

9 Of houell make stack, for pease on his back.

10[1] In champion some, wants elbow rome.

11 Let wheat and rie, in house lie drie.

12 Buie turfe and sedge, or else breake hedge.

13 Good store howse néedfull well ordred spéedfull.

14 Thy barnes repaire, make flower[2] faire.

15 Such shrubs as noie, in sommer destroie.

16 Swinge brembles & brakes,[E329] get forkes and rakes.

17 Spare hedlonds[3] some, till haruest come.

18 Cast ditch and pond, to lay vpon lond.

_A lesson of hopyard._

19 Where hops will growe, here learne to knowe. Hops many will coome, in a roode of roome.

20 Hops hate the land, with grauell and sand.

21 The rotten mold for hop is worth gold.

22 The sunne southwest for hopyard is best.

23 Hop plot once found, now dig the ground.

24 Hops fauoreth malt, hops thrift doth exalt: Of hops more réede, as time shall néede.

Thus endeth Junes abstract, agreeing with Junes husbandrie.

[1] Sts. 10-12 are omitted in 1577.

[2] _Query_, floor.

[3] hedlong. 1577.

53.

¶ _Junes husbandrie.

Chap._ 42.

Calme weather in June Corne sets in time.

Forgotten month past, Doe now at the last.

[Sidenote: Shéepe sharing.]

1 Wash sheepe (for the better) where water doth run, and let him go cleanly and drie in the sun. Then share him and spare not, at two daies an end, The sooner the better his corps will amend.[E330]

[Sidenote: Beware of euill shéepe shearers.]

2 Reward not thy sheepe (when ye take off his cote) with twitchis and patches, as brode as a grote.[E331] Let not such vngentlenesse happen to thine, least flie with hir gentils doo make it to pine.

[Sidenote: Sheare lambes in Julie.]

3 Let lambes go vnclipped, till June be halfe worne, the better the fleeses will growe to be shorne. The Pie will discharge thee for pulling the rest:[E332] the lighter the sheepe is, then feedeth it best.

[Sidenote: Mowing time.]

4 If meadow be forward, be mowing of some; but mowe as the makers may well ouercome:[E333] Take heede to the weather, the wind and the skie, if danger approcheth, then cock apace[E334] crie.

5 Plough earlie till ten a clock, then to thy hay, in plowing and carting, so profit ye may. By little and little, thus dooing ye win: that plough shall not hinder when haruest comes in.[E335]

6 Prouide of thine owne to haue all things at hand, least worke and the workman vnoccupide stand. Loue seldome to borowe that thinkest to saue, for he that once lendeth twise looketh to haue.[E336]

[Sidenote: Trim well thy carts.]

7 Let cart be well searched without and within, well clouted and greased, er hay time begin. Thy hay being carried, though carter had sworne, carts bottome well boorded is sauing of corne.

8 Good husbands that laie to saue all things vpright, for tumbrels and cart, haue a shed readie dight. Where vnder the hog may in winter lie warme: to stand so enclosed, as wind doo no harme.

[Sidenote: A houell is set vpon crotches[1] and couered with poles and strawe.]

9 So likewise a houell will serue for a roome, to stack on the peason, when haruest shall coome. And serue thee in winter, more ouer than that, to shut vp thy porklings thou mindest to fat.

10[2] Some barnroome haue little, and yardroome as much, yet corne in the field appertaineth to such: Then houels and rikes they are forced to make, abrode or at home for necessities sake.

11 Make sure of breadcorne (of all other graine), lie drie and well looked to, for mouse and for raine. Though fitchis and pease, and such other as they, (for pestring too much) on a houell ye ley.

12 With whinnes or with furzes thy houell renew, for turfe or for sedge, for to bake and to brew: For charcole and sea cole, as also for thacke, for tallwood and billet, as yeerlie ye lacke.

[Sidenote: The husbandlie storhouse.]

13 What husbandlie husbands, except they be fooles, but handsome haue storehouse, for trinkets and tooles: And all in good order, fast locked to ly, what euer is needfull, to find by and by.

14 Thy houses and barnes would be looked vpon, and all things amended er haruest come on. Things thus set in order, in quiet and rest, shall further thy haruest and pleasure thee best.

15 The bushes and thorne with the shrubs that do noy, in woodsere[3][E337] or sommer cut downe to destroy: But where as decay to the tree ye will none, for danger in woodsere, let hacking alone.

[Sidenote: Mowe downe brakes and meadow.]

16 At Midsommer, downe with the brembles and brakes, and after, abrode with thy forks and thy rakes: Set mowers a mowing, where meadow is growne, the longer now standing the worse to be mowne.

[Sidenote: Mowe hedlonds at haruest or after in the seueral fields.]

17 Now downe with the grasse vpon hedlonds about, that groweth in shadow, so ranke and so stout. But grasse vpon hedlond of barlie and pease, when haruest is ended, go mowe if ye please.

18 Such muddie deepe ditches, and pits in the feeld, that all a drie sommer no water will yeeld, By fieing[E338] and casting that mud vpon heapes, commodities many the husbandman reapes.

_A lesson where and when to plant good Hopyard._

19 Whome fancie persuadeth, among other crops, to haue for his spending, sufficient of hops,[E339] Must willinglie follow, of choises to chuse, such lessons approoued, as skilfull doo vse.

[Sidenote: Naught for hops.]

20 Ground grauellie, sandie, and mixed with clay, is naughtie for hops any maner of way; Or if it be mingled with rubbish and stone, for drines and barrennes, let it alone.

[Sidenote: Good for hops.]

21 Choose soile for the hop of the rottenest mould, well doonged and wrought, as a garden plot should Not far from the water (but not ouerflowne) this lesson well noted is meete to be knowne.

22 The Sunne in the south, or else southly and west, is ioy to the hop, as a welcomed gest; But wind in the north, or else northly east, to hop is as ill as a fraie in a feast.

[Sidenote: Now dig thy new hop ground.]

23 Meete plot for a hopyard once found as is told, make thereof account, as of iewell of gold. Now dig it and leaue it, the Sunne for to burne, and afterward fence it, to serue for that turne.

[Sidenote: The praise of hops.]

24 The hop for his profit I thus doo exalt, it strengtheneth drinke, and it fauoreth malt. And being well brewed, long kept it will last, and drawing abide, if ye drawe not too fast.

[1] "forked posts."--T.R.

[2] Sts. 10-12 are omitted in 1577.

[3] goodsere. 1577.

54.

¶ _Julies abstract.

Chap._ 43.

1 Go sirs and away, to ted and make hay. If stormes drawes nie, then cock apace crie.

2 Let hay still bide, till well it be dride. (Hay made) away carrie, no longer then tarrie.

3 Who best way titheth, he best way thriueth.

4 Two good hay makers woorth twentie crakers.

5 Let dallops[1] about be mowne and had out. Sée hay doo looke gréene, sée féeld ye rake cléene.

6 Thry fallow I pray thée, least thistles bewray thée.

7 Cut off, good wife, ripe beane with a knife.

8 Ripe hempe out cull, from karle to pull. Let séede hempe growe, till more ye knowe.

9 Drie flax get in, for spinners[2] to spin. Now mowe[3] or pluck thy branke or buck.

10 Some wormewood saue, for March to haue.

11 Mark Physick true, of wormewood and rue.[4] Get grist to the mill, for wanting at will.[E340]

Thus endeth Julies abstract, agréeing with Julies husbandrie.

[1] dalors. 1577.

[2] mayde. 1577.

[3] Go reape. 1577.

[4]

Some woormwood saue for March to haue. 1577.

55.

¶ _Julies husbandrie.

Chap._ 44.

No tempest, good Julie, Least corne lookes rulie.

Forgotten month past, Doe now at the last.

[Sidenote: Hay haruest.]

1 Go muster thy seruants, be captaine thy selfe, prouiding them weapon and other like pelfe. Get bottles and walletts, keepe field in the heat, the feare is as much, as the danger is great.

2 With tossing and raking and setting on cox, grasse latelie in swathes is hay for an ox:[E341] That done, go and cart it and haue it away, the battel is fought, ye haue gotten the day.

[Sidenote: Pay thy tithes.]

3 Pay iustly thy tithes whatsoeuer thou bee, that God may in blessing send foison to thee. Though Vicar[1] be bad, or the Parson as euill, go not for thy tithing thy selfe to the Deuill.

4 Let hay be well made, or auise else auouse,[E342] for molding in goef,[2] or of firing the house. Lay coursest aside for the ox and the cow, the finest for sheepe and thy gelding alow.

5 Then downe with the hedlonds, that groweth about, leaue neuer a dallop vnmowne and had out. Though grasse be but thin, about barlie and pease, yet picked vp cleane ye shall find therein ease.

[Sidenote: Thry fallowing.]

6 Thry fallow[E343] betime, for destroieng of weede, least thistle and duck[3] fall a blooming and seede, Such season may chance, it shall stand thee vpon, to till it againe, er an Sommer be gon.

[Sidenote: ¶ Gathering of garden beanes.]

7 Not rent[4] off, but cut off, ripe beane with a knife, for hindering stalke of hir vegetiue life. So gather the lowest, and leaning the top, shall teach thee a trick, for to double thy crop.[E344]

[Sidenote: ¶ Gather yellow hempe.]

8 Wife, pluck fro thy seed hemp the fiemble hemp clene, this looketh more yellow, the other more grene: Vse ton for thy spinning, leaue Mihel the tother, for shoo thred and halter, for rope and such other.[E345]

[Sidenote: ¶]

9[5] Now pluck vp thy flax, for the maidens to spin, first see it dried, and timelie got in. And mowe vp thy branke, and away with it drie, and howse it vp close, out of danger to lie.

[Sidenote: ¶ Wormewood get against fleas and infection.]

10 While wormwood[E346] hath seed, get a handful or twaine, to saue against March to make flea to refraine: Where chamber is sweeped, and wormwood is strowne, no flea for his life dare abide to be knowne.

11[6] What sauer is better (if physick be true), for places infected, than wormwood and rue. It is as a comfort for hart and the braine, and therefore to haue it, it is not in vaine.

[Sidenote: ¶ Be sure of bread and drinke for haruest.]

12 Get grist to the mill, to haue plentie in store, least miller lack water, as many doo more.[E347] The meale the more yeeldeth, if seruant be true, and miller that tolleth, take none but his due.

Thus endeth Julies husbandrie.

[1] curat. 1577.

[2] mow. 1614.

[3] dock. 1577.

[4] rend. 1573 (M.), 1577.

[5] St. 9 wanting in 1577.

[6] St. 11 wanting in 1577.

56.

¶ _Augusts abstract.

Chap._ 45.

1 Thry fallowing won, get compassing don.

2 In June and in Awe swinge brakes (for a lawe).

3 Pare saffron plot, forget it not. His dwelling made trim, looke shortly for him: When haruest is gon, then saffron comes on.

4 A little of ground brings saffron a pound. The pleasure is fine, the profit is thine. Kéepe colour in drieng, well vsed woorth buieng.

5[1] Maids, mustard séed reape, and laie on a heape.

6 Good neighbors in déede, change séede for séede.

7 Now strike vp drum,[2] cum haruest man cum. Take paine for a gaine, one knaue mars twaine.[E348]

8 Reape corne by the day,[3] least corne doo decay. By great is the cheaper, if trustie were reaper.

9 Blowe horne for sleapers, and chéere vp thy reapers.[4]

10 Well dooings who loueth, thes haruest points proueth.

11 Paie Gods part furst, and not of the wurst.[E349]

12 Now Parson (I say),[5] tith carrie away.

13 Kéepe cart gap wéele, scare hog from whéele.

14[6] Mowe hawme to burne, to serue thy turne: To bake thy bread, to burne vnder lead.

15 Mowne hawme being dry, no longer let ly. Get home thy hawme, whilst weather is cawme.

16 Mowne barlie lesse cost, ill mowne much lost.

17 Reape barlie with sickle, that lies in ill pickle.[7] Let gréenest stand, for making of band. Bands made without dew, will hold but a few.

18 Laie band[8] to find her, two rakes[9] to a binder.

19 Rake after sieth, and pay thy tieth. Corne carried all, then rake it ye shall.

20 Let shock take sweate, least gofe take heate. Yet it is best reason, to take it in season.[E350]

21 More often ye turne, more pease ye out spurne. Yet winnow them in, er carrege begin.

22 Thy carting plie, while weather is drie.

23 Bid gouing (clim)[10] goue iust and trim. Laie wheat for séede, to come by at néede. Séede barelie cast, to thresh out last.

24 Lay pease vpon stacke, if houell ye lack. And couer it straight, from doues that waight.

25 Let gleaners gleane, (the poore I meane). Which euer ye sowe, that first eate lowe. The other forbare, for rowen[11] to spare.

26 Come home lord singing, com home[12] corne bringing.[E351] Tis merie in hall, when[13] beards wag all.[E352]

27 Once had thy desire, pay workman his hire. Let none be beguilde, man, woman, nor childe.

28 Thanke God[14] ye shall, and adue for all.

_Works after haruest._[15]

29 Get tumbrell in hand, for barlie land.

30 The better the muck, the better good luck.

31 Still carrege is good, for timber and wood. No longer delaies, to mend the high waies.

32 Some loue as a iewell, well placing of fewell.

33 In piling of logs, make houell for hogs.

34 Wife, plow doth crie, to picking of rie.

35 Such séede as ye sowe, such reape or else mowe.

36 Take shipping or ride, Lent stuffe to prouide.

37 Let haberden lie, in peasestraw drie.

38 When out ye ride, leaue a good guide.

39 Some profit spie out, by riding about. Marke now, thorow yéere, what cheape, what déere.

40 Some skill doth well to buie and to sell. Of théefe who bieth, in danger lieth.

41 Commoditie knowne, abrode is blowne.

42 At first hand bie, at third let lie.

43 Haue monie prest, to buie at the best.

44 Some cattle home bring, for Mihelmas spring.[E353] By hauke and hound, small profit is found.

45 Dispatch, looke home, to loitring mome. Prouide or repent, milch cow for Lent.

46 Now crone[16] your sheepe, fat those ye kéepe. Leaue milking old cow, fat aged vp now.

47 Sell butter and chéese, good Faires few léese. At Faires go bie, home wants to supplie.

48 If hops looke browne, go gather them downe. But not in the deaw, for piddling with feaw.

49 Of hops this knack, a meanie doo lack.[17] Once had thy will,[18] go couer his hill.

50 Take hop to thy dole, but breake not his pole.

51 Learne here (thou stranger) to frame hop manger.

52 Hop poles preserue, againe to serue. Hop poles by and by, long safe vp to dry. Least poles wax scant, new poles go plant.[19]

53 The hop kell dride, will best abide. Hops dried in loft, aske tendance oft. And shed their séedes, much more than néedes.[20]

54 Hops dride small cost, ill kept halfe lost. Hops quickly[21] be spilt, take héede if thou wilt.

55 Some come, some go, This life is so.

Thus endeth Augusts abstract, agréeing with Augusts husbandrie.

* * * Stanza 47 is st. 49 in Septembers Abstract in 1577; st. 48 is 50, second couplet reads--

But not in a deawe, nor pidling with feawe. 1577.

[1] Sts. 5, 6 are wanting in 1577.

[2] droom. 1577.

[3] Get reapers by day. 1577.

[4] giue gloues to, etc. 1573 (M.) and 1577.

[5] That parson may. 1577.

[6] Sts. 14, 15, are wanting in 1577.

[7]

Reape barley with hand, that will not stand. 1577.

[8] hand. 1577.

[9] rakers. 1577.

[10] In 1577, Bid goeuing clim. _Query_, abbreviation for Clement.

[11] rewen. 1577.

[12] cart. 1573 (M.), 1577.

[13] let. 1577.

[14] so. 1577.

[15] The Works after Haruest are not in editions previous to 1580 (M.). But stanzas 47 and 48 are in Septembers Abstract. 1577.--Ed.

[16] _i.e._ pick out the crones.--T.R., but cf. Glossary.

[17] put in thy pack. 1577.

[18] fyll. 1577.

[19] ley new to plant. 1577.

[20] The third couplet is omitted in 1577.

[21] soone. 1577.

57.

¶ _Augusts husbandrie.

Chap._ 46.

Dry August and warme, Doth haruest no harme.

Forgotten month past Doe now at the last.

[Sidenote: Thry fallowing.]

1 Thry fallow once ended, go strike by and by, both wheat land and barlie, and so let it ly. And as ye haue leisure, go compas the same, when vp ye doo lay it, more fruitfull to frame.

[Sidenote: Mowing of brakes.]

2 Get downe with thy brakes, er an showers doo come, that cattle the better may pasture haue some. In June and in August, as well doth appeere, is best to mowe brakes, of all times in the yeere.

[Sidenote: Paring of saffron.]

3 Pare saffron[E354] betweene the two S. Maries daies,[E355] or set or go shift it, that knowest the waies. What yeere shall I doo it (more profit to yeeld?) the fourth in garden, the third in the feeld.

[Sidenote: ¶ Huswiferie.]

4 In hauing but fortie foote workmanly dight, take saffron ynough for a Lord and a knight. All winter time alter[1] as practise doth teach, what plot haue ye better, for linnen to bleach.[2]

[Sidenote: ¶]

5[3] Maides, mustard seede gather, for being too ripe,[E356] and weather it well, er ye giue it a stripe:[4] Then dresse it and laie it in soller vp sweete, least foistines make it for table vnmeete.

[Sidenote: ¶]

6[5] Good huswifes in sommer will saue their owne seedes, against the next yeere, as occasion needes. One seede for another, to make an exchange, with fellowlie neighbourhood seemeth not strange.

[Sidenote: Corne harvest.]

7 Make sure of reapers, get haruest in hand, the corne that is ripe, doo[6] but shed as it stand. Be thankfull to God, for his benefits sent, and willing to saue it with earnest intent.

[Sidenote: Champion by great, the other by day.]

8 To let out thy haruest, by great[7] or by day, let this by experience leade thee a way. By great will deceiue thee, with lingring it out, by day will dispatch, and put all out of dout.[E357]

9 Grant haruest lord[8][E358] more by a penie or twoo, to call on his fellowes the better to doo: Giue gloues to thy reapers,[9] a larges[E359] to crie, and dailie to loiterers haue a good eie.

[Sidenote: Good haruest points.]

10 Reape wel, scatter not, gather cleane that is shorne, binde fast, shock apace, haue an eie to thy corne. Lode safe, carrie home, follow time being faire, goue iust in the barne, it is out of despaire.

11[10] Tithe dulie and trulie, with hartie good will, that God and his blessing may dwell with thee still: Though Parson neglecteth his dutie for this, thanke thou thy Lord God, and giue erie man his.

[Sidenote: Parson looke to thy tithe.]

12 Corne tithed (sir Parson) to gather go get, and cause it on shocks to be by and by set: Not leauing it scattering abrode on the ground, nor long in the field, but away with it round.

[Sidenote: Kéepe hog from cart whéele.]

13 To cart gap and barne, set a guide to looke weele, and hoy out (sir carter) the hog fro thy wheele: Least greedie of feeding, in following cart, it noieth or perisheth, spight of thy hart.

14 In champion countrie a pleasure they take, to mowe vp their hawme, for to brew and to bake. And also it stands them in steade of their thack, which being well inned, they cannot well lack.

15 The hawme is the strawe of the wheat or the rie, which once being reaped, they mowe by and bie: For feare of destroieng with cattle or raine, the sooner ye lode it, more profit ye gaine.

[Sidenote: Mowing of barlie.]

16 The mowing of barlie, if barlie doo stand, is cheapest and best, for to rid out of hand:[E360] Some mowe it and rake it, and sets it on cocks, some mowe it and binds it, and sets it on shocks.

[Sidenote: Binding of barlie.]

17 Of barlie the longest and greenest ye find, leaue standing by dallops,[E361] till time ye doo bind: Then early in morning (while deaw is thereon), to making of bands till the deaw be all gon.

[Sidenote: Spreading of barlie bands.]

[Sidenote: ¶]

18 One spreadeth those bands, so in order to ly, as barlie (in swatches) may fill it thereby: Which gathered vp, with the rake and the hand, the follower after them bindeth in band.

[Sidenote: Tithe of rakings.]

19 Where barlie is raked (if dealing be true), the tenth of such raking to Parson is due: Where scatring of barlie is seene to be much, there custome nor conscience tithing should gruch.[11]

20 Corne being had downe (any way ye alow), should wither as needeth, for burning in mow: Such skill appertaineth to haruest mans art, and taken in time is a husbandly part.

[Sidenote: Usage of peason.]

21 No turning of peason till carrege ye make, nor turne in no more, than ye mind for to take: Least beaten with showers so turned to drie, by turning and tossing they shed as they lie.

[Sidenote: Lingring Lubbers.]

22 If weather be faire, and tidie[12][E362] thy graine, make speedily carrege, for feare of a raine: For tempest and showers deceiueth a menie, and lingering lubbers loose many a penie.

[Sidenote: Best maner of gouing corn in the barn.]

23 In gouing at haruest, learne skilfully how ech graine for to laie, by it selfe on a mow: Seede barlie the purest, goue out of the way, all other nigh hand goue as just as ye may.

[Sidenote: Pease stack.]

24 Stack pease vpon houell abrode in the yard, to couer it quicklie, let owner regard: Least Doue and the cadow, there finding a smack,[E363] with ill stormie weather doo perish[E364] thy stack.

[Sidenote: Leaue gleaning for the poore.]

25 Corne carred, let such as be poore go and gleane, and after, thy cattle to mowth it vp cleane. Then spare it for rowen, till Mihel be past, to lengthen[E365] thy dairie no better thou hast.

26 In haruest time, haruest folke, seruants and all, should make all togither good cheere in the hall: And fill out the black boule of bleith[E366] to their song, and let them be merie all haruest time long.

[Sidenote: Pay trulie haruest folke.]

27 Once ended thy haruest, let none be begilde, please such as did helpe thee, man, woman, and childe. Thus dooing, with alway such helpe as they can, thou winnest the praise of the labouring man.

[Sidenote: Thanke God for all.]

28 Now looke vp to Godward, let tong neuer cease in thanking of him, for his mightie encrease: Accept my good will, for a proofe go and trie: the better thou thriuest, the gladder am I.

[End of Augusts Husbandry in 1577.]

_Works after Haruest._[13]

29 Now 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.

30 Whose compas is rotten and carried in time, and spred as it should be, thrifts ladder may clime.[E367] Whose compas is paltrie and carried too late, such husbandrie vseth that many doo hate.[E368]

[Sidenote: Carriage of fewell.]

31[14] Er winter preuenteth, while weather is good, for galling of pasture get home with thy wood. And carrie out grauell to fill vp a hole: both timber and furzen, the turfe and the cole.

[Sidenote: Well placing of fewell.]

32 Howse charcole and sedge, chip and cole[15] of the land, pile tallwood and billet, stacke all that hath band. Blocks, rootes,[16] pole and bough, set vpright to the thetch: the neerer more handsome in winter to fetch.

[Sidenote: Houell for hogs.]

33 In stacking of bauen, 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.

34 Once haruest dispatched, get wenches and boies, and into the barne, afore all other toies. Choised seede to be picked and trimlie well fide, for seede may no longer from threshing abide.

35 Get 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.

[Sidenote: 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 to rode, shall paie for thy charges thou spendest abrode.

37 Choose 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.

[Sidenote: Compassing of barlie land.]

38 Er euer ye iornie, cause seruant with speede to compas thy barlie land where it is neede. One aker well compassed, passeth some three, thy barne shall at haruest declare it to thee.

39 This lesson is learned by riding about, the prices of vittels, the yeere thorough out. Both what to be selling and what to refraine, and what to be buieng, to bring in againe.[E370]

40 Though buieng and selling doth woonderfull well, to such as haue skill how to buie and to sell: Yet chopping and changing I cannot commend, with theefe[19] and his marrow, for feare of ill end.

41 The 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.

[Sidenote: Buieng at first hand.]

42 At 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]

[Sidenote: Readie monie bieth best cheape.]

43 As oft as ye bargaine, for better or wurse, to buie it the cheaper, haue chinkes in thy purse Touch kept is commended, yet credit to keepe, is paie and dispatch him, er euer ye sleepe.

[Sidenote: Hauking.]

44 Be mindfull abrode of Mihelmas[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.

[Sidenote: Winter milch cow.]

45 Thy market dispatched, turne home againe round, least gaping for penie, thou loosest[21] a pound: Prouide for thy wife, or else looke to be shent, good milch cow for winter, another for Lent.

[Sidenote: Old ewes.]

46 In traueling homeward, buie fortie good crones, and fat vp the bodies of those seelie bones. Leaue milking and drie vp old mulley thy cow, the crooked and aged, to fatting put now.

[Sidenote: Buieng or selling of butter and chéese.]

47[22] At Bartilmewtide, or at Sturbridge faire,[E372] buie that as is needfull, thy house to repaire: Then sell to thy profit, both butter and cheese, who buieth it sooner, the more he shall leese.

[Sidenote: Hops gathering.]

48 If 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.

[Sidenote: Increasing of hops.]

49 Not 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.

[Sidenote: The order of hops gathering.]

50 Hop hillock discharged of euerie let, see then without breaking, ech pole ye out get. Which being vntangled aboue in the tops, go carrie to such as are plucking of hops.

[Sidenote: Hop manger.]

51 Take soutage or haier (that couers the kell), set like to a manger and fastened well: With poles vpon crotchis as high as thy brest, for sauing and[23] riddance is husbandrie best.[E373]

[Sidenote: Saue hop poles.]

52 Hops 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.

[Sidenote: Drieng of hops.]

53 Some 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 doo dispaire.

[Sidenote: Kéeping of hops.]

54 Some close them vp drie in a hogshed or fat, yet canuas or soutage is better than that: By drieng and lieng they quickly be spilt: thus much haue I shewed, doo now as thou wilt.

55 Old 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]

Thus endeth and holdeth out Augusts husbandrie, till Mihelmas Eue.

Tho. Tusser.

[1] after. 1577.

[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.

[4] "Beating it upon a Hurdle or some other rough thing."--T.R.

[5] St. 6 is wanting in 1573 (M.) and 1577.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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_.

[14] Stanzas 31-33 are in Septembers Husbandry. 1577.

[15] turfe. 1577.

[16] Block rootes. 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.

[19] knaue. 1577.

[20] Mighelmas. 1577.

[21] lossest. 1577.

[22] Sts. 47-54 occur as sts. 49-56 of Septembers Husbandry. 1577.

[23] of. 1577.

[24] some. 1577.

58.

¶ _Corne Haruest equally deuided into ten partes.

Chap._ 47.[1]

1 One part cast forth, for rent due out of hand,[E375]

2 One other part, for seede to sowe thy land.

3 Another part, leaue Parson for his tieth.

4 Another part for haruest, sickle and sieth.

5 One part for plowwrite, cartwrite, knacker and smith,

6 One part to vphold thy teemes that drawe therewith.

7 One part for seruant and workmans wages lay.

8 One part likewise for filbellie day by day.

[Sidenote: For naperie sope and candle, salt and sauce, tinker[2] and cooper, brasse and pewter.]

9 One part thy wife for needfull things doth craue.

10 Thy selfe and childe, the last one part would haue.

[11] Who minds to cote, vpon this note, may easily find ynough: What charge and paine, to litle gaine, doth follow toiling plough.

[12] Yet fermer may thanke God and say, for yeerlie such good hap: Well fare the plough,[E376] that sends ynough to stop so many a gap.

[1] This chapter is wanting in 1573 (M.); but is in 1577.

[2] timber. 1577.

59.

¶ _A briefe conclusion, where you may see, Ech word in the verse, to begin with a T.

Chap._ 48.

[Sidenote: Triue for contriue.]

The thriftie that teacheth the thriuing to thriue, Teach timelie to trauerse the thing that thou triue. 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 thriftines trowleth to thee. Then temper thy trauell to tarie the tide, This teacheth thee thriftines twentie times tride.

Take thankfull thy talent, thanke thankfully those That thriftilie teacheth thy time to transpose. Troth twise to thee teached, teach twentie times ten. This trade thou that takest, take thrift to thee then.[E377]

[Thomas Tusser (1577).]

60.

[_Mans age deuided into twelue seauens._ 1614.]

¶ Mans age deuided here ye haue,
By prentiships, from birth to his graue.

_Chap._ 49.

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 sir hobbard de hoy,_ 28 _The next a man no longer a boy._ 35 _The next, let lustie laie 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, be staied, giue ouer thy lust,_ 70 _The next, thinke hourely whither thou must._ 77 _The next, get chaire and crotches to 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.

61.

¶ Another diuision of the nature of mans age.

_Chap._ 50.

The Ape, the Lion, the Foxe, the Asse, Thus sets foorth man, as in a glasse.

[1] Ape _Like Apes we be toieng, till twentie and one,_ Lyon _Then hastie as Lions till fortie be gone:_ Foxe _Then wilie as Foxes, till threescore and three,_ Asse _Then after for Asses accounted[1] we bee._

[2] 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.

62.

_Comparing good husband with vnthrift his brother, The better discerneth the tone from the tother._[E380]

_Chap._ 51

1 Ill husbandrie braggeth, to go with the best: Good husbandrie baggeth vp gold in his chest.

2 Ill husbandry trudgeth, with vnthrifts about: Good husbandry snudgeth, for fear of a dout.

3 Ill husbandrie spendeth abrode like a mome: Good husbandrie tendeth his charges at home.

4 Ill husbandrie selleth his corne on the ground: Good husbandrie smelleth no gain that way found.

5 Ill husbandrie loseth, for lack of good fence: Good husbandrie closeth, and gaineth the pence.

6 Ill husbandrie trusteth to him and to hur:[E381] Good husbandrie lusteth himselfe for to stur.

7 Ill husbandrie eateth himselfe out a doore: Good husbandrie meateth his friend and the poore.

8 Ill husbandrie daieth,[E382] or letteth it lie: Good husbandrie paieth, the cheaper to bie.

9 Ill husbandrie lurketh, and stealeth a sleepe: Good husbandrie worketh, his houshold to kéepe.

10 Ill husbandrie liueth, by that and by this:[E383] Good husbandrie giueth to erie man his.

11 Ill husbandrie taketh, and spendeth vp all: Good husbandrie maketh good shift with a small.

12 Ill husbandry praieth his wife to make shift: Good husbandrie saieth take this of my gift.

13 Ill husbandry drowseth at fortune so auke: Good husbandrie rowseth himselfe as a hauke.

14 Ill husbandrie lieth in prison for debt: Good husbandrie spieth where profit to get.

15 Ill husbandrie waies has to fraud what he can Good husbandrie praies hath of euerie man.

16 Ill husbandrie neuer hath welth to keep touch Good husbandrie euer hath penie in pouch.

[17] Good husband his boone, Or request hath a far. Ill husband assoone Hath a tode with an R.[E384]

63.

¶ _A comparison betweene Champion countrie and seuerall.

Chap._ 52.

1 The 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 I mind for to showe.[2]

[Sidenote: Champion.]

2 There swineherd that keepeth the hog, there neatherd, with cur and his horne, There shepherd with whistle and dog, be fence to the medowe and corne. There horse being tide on a balke, is readie with theefe for to walke.

3 Where all thing in common doth rest, corne field with the pasture and meade, Though common ye doo for the best, yet what doth it stand ye in steade? There common as commoners vse, for otherwise shalt thou not chuse.[3]

4 What laier much better then there, or cheaper (thereon to doo well?) What drudgerie more any where lesse good thereof where can ye tell? What gotten by Sommer is seene: in Winter is eaten vp cleene.

5 Example 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.

[Sidenote: Enclosure.]

6 All 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]

[Sidenote: Seuerall.]

7 More plentie of mutton and biefe, corne, butter, and cheese of the best, More wealth any where (to be briefe), more people, more handsome and prest, Where find ye? (go search any coast) than there where enclosure is most.

8 More 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?

[Sidenote: Champion countrie.]

9 In Norfolke behold the dispaire of tillage too much to be borne: By drouers from faire to faire, and others destroieng the corne. By custome and couetous pates, by gaps, and by opening of gates.[4][E386]

10 What speake I of commoners by, with drawing all after a line: So noieng the corne, as it ly, with cattle, with conies,[5] and swine. When thou[6] hast bestowed thy cost, looke halfe of the same to be lost.

11 The flocks of the Lords of the soile do yeerly the winter corne wrong: The same in a manner they spoile, with feeding so lowe and so long. And therefore that champion feeld doth seldome good winter corne yeeld.

[Sidenote: Champion noiances.]

12[7] By Cambridge a towne I doo knowe, where many good husbands doo dwell; Whose losses by losels doth showe,[E387] more here than is needfull to tell: Determine at court what they shall, performed is nothing at all.[E388]

13 The champion robbeth by night, and prowleth and filcheth by day: Himselfe and his beast out of sight, both spoileth and maketh away Not onely thy grasse, but thy corne, both after, and er it be shorne.

14 Pease bolt with thy pease he will haue, his houshold to feede and his hog: Now stealeth he, now will he craue, and now will he coosen and cog. In Bridewell a number be stript, lesse woorthie than theefe to be whipt.[E389]

15 The oxboy, as ill is as hee, or worser, 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.

16 What orchard vnrobbed escapes? or pullet dare 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] what sturs! how hold they togither like burs!