4 — ¶ an Introduction to the Booke of Husbandrie1
Chap. 4
1
Good husbandmen must moile & toile,
to laie to liue by laboured feeld:
Their wiues at home must keepe such coile,E18
as their like actes may profit yeeld.
For well they knowe,
as shaft from bowe,
or chalke from snowe,
A good round rent their Lords they giue,
and must keepe touch in all their paie:
With credit crackt else for to liue,
or trust to legs and run awaie.
Ceres , Goddesse of husbandry.
2
Though fence well kept is one good point,
and tilth well done, in season due;
Yet needing salue in time to annoint,
is all in all and needfull true:
As for the rest,
thus thinke I best,
as friend doth gest,
With hand in hand to leade thee foorth
to Ceres campe, there to behold
A thousand things as richlie woorth,
as any pearle is woorthie gold.
Notes
1 This Introduction is not in the editions of 1573 or 1577.