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 to that, by no means will agree,
Lest he thereby should come to Beggary.
He makes it plain appear, a Country Life
Doth far excel; and so they end the Strife.
The Tune is, I am the Duke of Norfolk.
|
My Noble friends Give Ear,
|
If Mirth you love to hear,
|
I'e tell you as fast as I can,
|
A story very True,
|
Then mark what doth ensue,
|
concerning of a Husband-man.
|
Serving-Man.
|
A Serving-man did meet
|
A Husband-man in the street,
|
and thus unto him he began;
|
I pray you tell to me
|
Of what Calling you be;
|
or if you be a Serving-man.
|
Husband-man.
|
Quoth he, my brother dear,
|
The Coast I mean to Clear,
|
and the truth you shall Understand.
|
I do no one disdain;
|
But this I tell you Plain,
|
I am an honest Husband-man.
|
Serving-man.
|
If a Husband-man you be,
|
Then Come along with me;
|
i'le help you as soon as I can;
|
Unto a gallant place,
|
Where in a little space,
|
you shall be a Serving-man.
|
Husband-man.
|
Sir, for your diligence,
|
I Give you many thanks:
|
then answered the Plowman again,
|
I pray you to me show
|
Whereby that I might know,
|
what Pleasures hath a Serving-man.
|
Serving-man.
|
A Serving-man hath pleasure,
|
Which passeth time and measure;
|
when the Hauk on his Fist doth stand,
|
His hood and his verril's brave,
|
And other things we have,
|
which yeelds Joy to a Serving-man,
|
Husband-man.
|
My pleasures more than that,
|
To see my Oxen fat,
|
and to prosper well under my hand
|
And therefore I do mean,
|
With my Horse and Team
|
to keep myself a husband-man.
|
Serving-man.
|
O 'tis a Gallant thing,
|
In the prime time of the Spring,
|
to hear the hunts-men now and then
|
His Beaugle for to blow
|
And the hounds Run all a row;
|
this is pleasure for a serving-man:
|
To hear the Beagle Cry,
|
And to see the Faulcon fly,
|
and the hare trip over the plain,
|
And the Hunts-men and the hound,
|
Makes Hill and Dale rebouud:
|
this is pleasure for a Serving-man.
|
Husband-man.
|
'Tis pleasure you know
|
To see the Corn to Grow;
|
and to grow so well on the Land,
|
The Plowing and the Sowing,
|
The Reaping and the Mowing
|
yeelds pleasure to the Husband-man.
|
Serving-man.
|
At our Table you may Eat
|
All sorts of Dainty Meat;
|
Pig, Cony, Goose, Capon, and Swan;
|
And with Lords and Ladies fine,
|
You may drink bear, ale, and wine,
|
this is pleasure for a Serving-man.
|
Husband man.
|
While you Eat Goose and Capon,
|
I'le feed on Beefe and Bacon,
|
and peice of hard Cheese now and then;
|
We Pudding have, and Souse,
|
Always ready in the house;
|
which Contents the honest Husband-man.
|
Serving-man.
|
At the Court you may have,
|
Your Garments fine and brave,
|
and Cloak with Gold Lace layd upon,
|
A shirt as white as milk,
|
And wrought with finest silk,
|
that's pleasure for a serving-man.
|
Husband-man.
|
Such proud and costly Gear,
|
Is not for us to wear,
|
amongst the bryers and brambles many a one
|
A Good strong russet Coat,
|
And at your need a groat,
|
will suffice the husband-man.
|
A Proverb hear I tell,
|
Which likes my humour well,
|
and remember it well I can,
|
If a Courtier be to bold,
|
He'l want when he is old,
|
then farewel the serving-man.
|
Serving-man.
|
It needs must be Confest,
|
That your Calling Is the best;
|
no longer discourse with you I can,
|
But henceforth I will pray,
|
By night and by day;
|
Heavens bless the honest husband man.
|
|
|
|
|
|