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