A Looking-glass for a covetous Miser:
OR,
Comfort to a Contented minde.
Being a serious discourse between a Rich Miser in the
West Country, and a poor Husband-man, as they
accidentally met upon the way: Their dispute being
so tedious, and of so great concernment, A neigh-
bour of theirs hearing them, took pains to write
down the subject of their discourse, after he had
heard what had befallen to the Rich-man; He sent
a Letter to a friend of his in London, and desired
that he would get it Printed for an example to all
unthankful men.
to the tune of, the Fair Angel of England; or, the Tyrant
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COme listen kind neighbours with heart and good will,
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I promise you truely I think no man ill,
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I'le onely inform you what news I do hear,
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By Letters at London out of Devonshire.
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There was a rich miser that hoarded up grain.
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Likewise a poor Husbandman honest and plain
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The miser with sorrow did look pail and wan,
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And thus to disputing this Couple began.
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The Miser.
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Well met honest neighbor the Miser did say,
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What is the best News at the Market today;
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How did they sell Barley, their Wheat, & their Rye?
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Declare the truth to me without any lye:
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For I was sore troubled last night in my sleep,
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With dreaming of matters which made me to weep,
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I thought my whole Barn full of Barley and Wheat
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The Rats, Mice, and Vermine, did seem for to eat.
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Husband-man.
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Seed Wheat gave three shillings a strike I protest,
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But this I'le assure you it was of the best;
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The best Rye i'th market gave not half a crown,
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Which made some rich Misers to fret and to frown,
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For five groats and two pence good Barley was sold;
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To speak the plain truth out a man may be bold,
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Therefore be contented good neighbour with me,
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Praise God and be thankful such plenty to see.
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Miser.
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It grives me to thing that a Trade we shall drive,
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Our Lands and our livings will not make us thrive,
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The reason of this now I will tell you plan
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Because of the cheapnesse of all kinde of Grain.
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Ere I will sell Barley two thillings a strike,
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I now am resolved to throw plough i'th dike;
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If Grain hold so cheap as it plainly appears,
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I shall be undone within two or three years.
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Husband-man.
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Thou Covetous wiser didst thou ever hear,
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A Farmer undone in a plentiful year,
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You know how I lived and paid a great Rent,
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Sold Barley for fifteen and yet was concent,
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In plentful seasons Gods mercy is shown,
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He sends the poor Ploughman two Bushels for one,
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And great store of Catiel wilh fodders and stuffe
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He that is contented hath treasure enough.
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M[i]ser.
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It troubles me sadly this Tale should be told,
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I've Corn lying by me that's full three years old.
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They once bade sixe thillings a strike for't I think,
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But now I'me perswaded that Barley doth stink
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Yet wee I thrash no more then our family spends,
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I hope that next year it will make us amends
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If Grain holds so Cheap as it plainly appears,
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I'le sell no more Corn yet this two or three eears.
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Husband-man.
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The Rich-man i'th Gospel spake thus, like a childe.
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He'd pull down his Barnes that he larger might build
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Whereby he might sollace himself with delight.
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Though his Soul was required of him that same night
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But I am contented I promise you true,
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When corn will but last until God soedeth new;
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Though misers do murmur their grain they can't raise
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Let poor men be thankful and give God the praise.
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miser.
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Example by Joseph in Egypt, wh have,
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That in time of plenty men may their Corn save.
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For fear least a Famine should be in the Land,
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That we may have store-houses then at command
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To furnish such people as then comes to buy,
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You know that no wife mon such things will deny,
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If corn hold so cheap as it plainly appears,
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I shall be undone within two or three years,
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Husband-man.
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You know that wise Salomon this doth rehearse,
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that man that keeps qack his corn, people will curse,
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But he that with chearfulnesse selleth his grain
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A blessing upon him will surely remain:
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But some men to covetousness are inclin'd,
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E're theyd bate a farthing theyd see poor men pyn'd,
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though misers do murmur their grain they can't raise,
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Let poor men be thankful and give God the praise.
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But mark what befel to this covetous Moam,
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His house it was robbed before he got home,
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His chests were broke open, his servants were bound
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He lost in one hour two hundred pound,
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This sure was a Judgement his neighbors did guss
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Because he these words did so often expresse
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If Grain hold so cheap as it plainly appears
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He should be undone within two or three years.
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Concluding my story mark well what I say,
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The poor of this Nation are bound for to pray.
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That God would be pleased to help them at need,
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That they may have bread their poor Children to feed
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For Charity's cold enough as 'tis well known,
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Good house-keeping likewise is now baad grown,
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Take this admonition from me as a friend,
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Praise God and be thankful that plenty doth send.
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