God speed the Plow, And bless the Corn-Mow.
A Dialogue between
The Husband-man and Serving-man.
The Serving-man the Plow-man would invite,
To leave his Calling, and to take Delight;
But he to that by no means will agree,
Left he thereby should come to Beggery:
He makes it plain appear, a Country life,
Doth far excell, and so they end the strife.
The Tune is, I am the Duke of Norfolk.
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MY Noble friends give ear,
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If mirth you love to hear,
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I'le tell you as fast as I can,
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A Story very true,
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Then mark what doth ensue,
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concerning of a Husband-man.
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Serving-Man.
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A Serving-man did meet
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A Husband-man in the street,
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and thus unto him he began,
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I pray you tell to me,
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Of what calling you be,
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or if you be a Serving-man?
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Husband-man.
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Quoth he my brother dear,
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The Coast I mean to clear,
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and the truth you shall understand,
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I do no one disdain,
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But this I tell you plain,
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I am an honest Husband-man.
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Serving-man.
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If a Husband-man you be,
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Then come along with me,
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i[']le help you as soon as I can,
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Unto a gallant place,
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Where in a little space,
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you shall be a Serving-man.
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Husband-man.
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Sir for your Diligence,
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I give you many thanks,
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then answered the Plow-man again,
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I pray you to me show,
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Whereby that you may know,
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what pleasures hath a Serving-man
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Serving-Man.
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A Serving-man hath pleasure,
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Which passeth time and measure,
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when his Hawk on his Fist doth stand
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His Hood and his Derrils brave,
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And other things we have,
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which yields joy to a Serving-man.
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Husband-man.
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My pleasures more than that,
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To see my Oxen fat,
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and to prosper well under my hand,
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And therefore I do mean
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With my Horse and my Team,
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to keep myself a Husband-man.
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Serving-man.
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O tis a gallant thing,
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In the prime time of the spring,
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to hear the Hunts-men now & then,
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His Beaugle for to blow,
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And the Hounds run all arow,
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this is the pleasure for a serving-man
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To hear the Beagle cry,
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And to see the Faulcon flye,
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and the Hare trip over the plain,
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And the hunts-men and the hound
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Maltes hill and Dale rebound,
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this is pleasure for a serving-man.
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Husband-man.
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Tis pleasure you know,
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To see the Corn to grow,
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and to grow so well on the land,
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The Plowing and the Sowing,
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The Reaping and the Mowing,
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yields pleasure to the husband-man.
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Serving-man.
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At our Table you may eat,
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All sorts of dainty meat,
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Pig, Coney, Goose, Capon, & Swan,
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And with Lords and Ladies fine,
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You may drink Beer, ale, and wine,
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this is pleasure for a Serving-man.
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Husband-man.
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While you eat Goose and Capon,
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I'le feed on Beef and Bacon,
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and a piece of hard cheese now & then,
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We Pudding have and Souse
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Always ready in the house,
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which contents the honest Husband-man.
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Serving-man.
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At the Court you may have,
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Your Garments fine and brave,
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& a cloak with a gold lace laid upon,
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A Shirt as white as milk,
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And wrought with finest silk,
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that's pleasure for a Serving-man.
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Husband-man.
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Such proud and costly gear,
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Is not for us to wear,
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amongst the bryers & brambles many a one,
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A good strong Russet Coat,
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And at our need a great,
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that will suffice the Husband-man.
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A Proverb heard I tell,
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Which likes my humour well,
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and remember it well I can,
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If a Courtier be too bold,
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He'l want when he is Old,
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then farewell the Serving-man.
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Serving-man.
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It needs must be confest,
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That your calling is the best,
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no longer discourse with you I can
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But henceforth I will pray,
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By night and by day,
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Heavens bless the honest Husband-man
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