to few but hurt to many puls downe the Churches and builds the faire houses makes the Prodigall an Ape and the miser dogged makes Bridges ouer the Sea and fire in mens braines fetchâ—th the Beasts from the Wildernesse and the Birds from the Ayre it drawes fansies out of fine Wits and eloquence from learned mouths It makes friends foes and enemies friends It serues all professions all qualities and conditions from the King to the Begger In summe not to talke too much of it hauing so little of it I thus conclude my opinion of it I thinke it a necessary drosse and a dangerous mettall the reliefe of the honest and the ruine of the wicked Farewell The Spring IT is now Spring a Time blest of the Heauens for the comfort of the Earth now begins the Sunne to giue light vnto the Ayre and with the replexion of his beames to warme the cold earth the Beasts of the woods looke out into the plaines and the fishes out of the déepe run vp into the shallow waters the bréeding fowles fall to building of their nests and the senselesse creatures gather life into their bodies the Birds tune their throats to entertaine the Sunne rising and the little flies begin to flocke in the ayre now Cupid begins no nocke his Arrowes and sharpe their heads and Venus if she be will be knowne what she is Now Pallas and her Muses try the Poets in their Pamphlets and Diana if shee bee to bée séene is a grace to her fayrest Nymph Time is now gracious in Nature Nature in time the Ayre wholesome and the earth pleasant and the sea not vncomfortable the Aged féele a kind of youth Youth the Spirit ful of life it is the messenger of many pleasures the Courtiers progresse and the Farmers profit the Labourers Haruest and the Beggers Pilgrimage In summe there is much good to be spoken of this time but to auoyd tediousnes I will thus conclude of it I hold it in all that I can sée in it the Iewell of time and the Ioy of Nature Farewell Summer IT is now Summer Zephirus with his swéet breath cooles the parching beames of Titan the leaues of the trées are in whisper talkes of the blessings of the aire while the Nightingale is tuning her throat to refresh the weary spirit of the Trauayler Flora now brings out her Wardrop and richly embroydreth her gréene Apron the Nymphes of the Woodes in consort with the Muses sing an Aue to the Morning and a Vale to the Sunnes setting the Lambes and the Rabbettes run at base in the sandy Warrens and the Plow landes are couered with corne the stately Hart is at Layre in the high wood while the Hare in a surrow sits washing of her face The Bull makes his walke like a Master of the field and the broad-headed Oxe beares the Garland of the market the Angler with a sly takes his pleasure with the fish while the little Merline hath the Partridge in the foot the Hony-dewes perfume the Ayre and the Sunny-showers are the earths comfort the Greyhound on the plaine makes the faire course the wel-mouthed Hound makes the Musicke of the woods the Battaile of the field is now stoutly fought and the proud Rye must stoupe to the Sickle The Carters whistle chéeres his forehorse and drinke and sweat is the life of the Labourer Idle spirits are banished the limits of Honour while the studious braine brings forth his wonder the Azure Sky shewes the Heauen is gracious and the glorious Sunne glads the spirit of Nature The ripened fruits shew the beauty of the earth and the brightnesse of the aire the glory of the heauens In summe for the world of worth I find in it I thus conclude of it I hold it a most swéet season the variety of pleasures and the Paradise of loue Farewell Haruest IT is now Haruest and the Larke must lead her yong out of the nest for the Sithe and the Sickle wil down with the grasse and the corne Now are the hedges ful of Berries the highwayes full of Rogues and the lazy Limmes must â—â—éepe out their dinner The Ant and the Bee worke for their winter prouision and after a frost the Grashopper is not séene Butter milke and cheese are the Labourers dyet and a pot of good Béere quickens his spirit If there be no plague the people are healthy for continuance of motion is a preseruation of nature The fresh of the morning and the coole of the Euening are the times of Court walkes but the poore traueller treads out the whole day Malt is now aboue wheat with a number of mad people and a fine shirt is better then a Frize Ierkin Peares and Plummes now ripen apace and being of a watry substance are cause of much sicknesse The pipe and the taber now follow the Fayres and they that haue any money make a gaine of their markets Bucks now are in season and Partridges are Rowen-taild a good Retriuer is a Spaniell worth the keeping In sum it is a time of much worth when if God bee well pleased the world will thriue the better And to conclude this is all that I will say of it I hold it the Heauens Bounty the Earths Beauty and the Worlds Benefit Farewell VVinter IT is now Winter and Boreas beginnes to fill his chéekes with breath shaketh the tops of the high Cedars and hoyseth the waues of the Sea to the danger of the Saylers comfort Now is the Earth nipt at the heart with a cold and her Trées are disrobed of their rich apparell there is a glasse set vpon the face of the Waters and the Fishes are driuen to the bottomes of the déepe The Usurer now sits lapt in his furres and the poore makes his breath a fire to his fingers ends Beautie is maskt for feare of the ayre and youth runnes to Physicke for Restoratiues of Nature The Stagge roares for losse of his strength and the Flea makes his Castle in the wooll of a blanket Cards and Dice now begin their haruest and good Ale and Sack are the cause of ciuill warres Machiauil and the Deuill are in counsell vpon destruction and the wicked of the world make hast to hell Money is such a Monopoly that hee is not to be spoken of and the delay of suits is the death of hope In it selfe it is a wofull Season the punishment of Natures pride and the play of misery Farewell Ianuary IT is now Ianuary and Time beginnes to turne the whéele of his Reuolution the Woods begin to lose the beauty of their spreading boughes and the proud Oke must stoop to the Axe the Squirrell now surueyeth the Nut and the Maple and the Hedgehogge rowles vp himselfe like a football an Apple and a Nutmeg make a Gossips cup and the Ale and the Fagot are the Uictuallers merchandise the Northerne black Dust is the during Fuell and the fruit of the Grape heats the stomake of the Aged Downe beds
in loue the Colt hath a ragged coat and the halfe mewed head disgraceth the Déere the Faulcons wing is but young feathered and the déepe fâ—llow wearies the Huntsman there is nothing pleasing but hope that the dayes will lengthen and time will be more comfortable I conclude in it selfe it is an vncomfortable season the Heauens frown and the Earths punishment Farewell Good Friday IT is now Good Friday and a generall Fast must be kept among all Christians in remembrance of Christs Passion Flesh and Fish must bee vanished all stomackes strong or weake Now beginnes the Farewell to thin fare and the Fishmongers may shut vp their shops till the Holy-dayes be past the Butchers now must wash their Boords make cleane their Aprons sharpen their kniues and sort their prickes and cut out their meat for Easter Eue market Now must the Poulters make ready their Rabbetâ— and their Fowle the Cookes haue their Ouens cleane and all for Pies and Tarts against the merry Feast now the Maids bestir them about their houses the Launders about their Linnen the Taylors about Apparell and all for this holy time Now young Lambs young Rabbets and young Chickens dye for fine appetites and now the Minstrell tunes his Instruments to haue them ready for the yong people but with the aged and the religious there is nothing but sorrow and mourning confession contrition and absolution and I know not what few that are merry but children that breake vp schoole and wenches that are vpon the mariage In summe it is such an odde day by it selfe that I will onely make this conclusion of it It is the Bridle of Nature and the Examiner of Reason Farewell Easter day IT is now Easter and Iacke of Lent is turned out of doores the Fishermen now hang vp their nets to dry while the Calfe and the Lambe walke toward the Kitchin and the Pastry The veluet heads of the Forrests fall at the loose of the Crosse-bow the Samman Trowt playes with the Fly and the March Rabbit runnes dead into the dish the Indian commodities pay the Merchants aduenture and Barbary Sugar puts Honey out of countenance the holy feast is kept for the faithfull and a knowne Iew hath no place among Christians the Earth now beginnes to paint her vpper garment and the trées put out their young buds the little Kids chew their Cuds and the Swallow féeds on the Flyes in the Ayre the Storke clenseth the Brookes of the Frogges and the Sparhawke prepares her wing for the Partridge the little Fawne is stolne from the Doe the male Déere beginne to heard the spirit of Youth is inclined to mirth and the conscionable Scholler will not breake a holy-day the Minstrell cals the Maid from her dinner and the Louers eyes doe troule like Tennis balls There is mirth and ioy when there is health and liberty and he that hath money will be no meane man in his mansion the Ayre is wholsome and the Skye comfortable the Flowers odoriferous and the Fruits pleasant I conclude it is a day of much delightfulnesse the Sunnes dancing day and the Earths Holy-day Farewell Morning IT is now Morning and Time hath woond vp the Whéeles of his day Watch while the Larke the Sunnes Trumpet calls the Labourer to his worke there is ioy and comfort through the whole world that the spirits of life are awaked out of their dead sléepe It is the blessed time of reason in which the best things are begunne while Nature goes to experience for the better perfection of her businesse The Sunne now beginnes to draw open the Curtaine of his Pauilion and with the heat of his Beames drawes vp the vnwholesome mists in the Ayre the Mother Earth is recouered of her cold sicknesse and sends forth her fayre flowers to perfume the infected ayre now the Sorceresse with her magicke Art puts her charmes to silence and the Birds of the woods make musicke to the poore traueller Now begin the wits of the wise and the limbes of strength to compasse the world and make Art honorable Theeues now are either caued or imprisoned and knowledge of comfort puts care to a Non plus The beasts of the forrests vse the silence of feare and the Wolfe like a Dog dares not looke out of his denne the Wormes into the earth and the Toads into the Waters flye for feare of their heads This is a time that I ioy in for I think no time lost but in sléepe and now haue imaginations their best meanes to attire themselues in the golden liuerie of their best graces to which the night is at no time by depriuation of action I conclude it is in it selfe a blessed season a dispersing of the first darknesse and the Diall of Alexander Farewell One of the Clocke IT is now the first houre and Time is as it were stepping out of darknesse and stealing towards the day the Cocke cals to his â—enne and bids her beware of the Foxe and the Watch hauing walkt the stréets take a nap vpon a stall the Bell-man cals to the maids to looke to their lockes their fire and their light and the child in the cradle cals to the Nurse for a Dug the Cat sits watching behind the Cupboord for a Mouse and the Flea sucks on swéet flesh till he is ready to burst with the blood the spirits of the studious start out of their dreames and if they cannot fall asléepe againe then to the Booke and the waxe Candle the Dog at the doore frayes the Théefe from the house and the Théefe within the house may hap to be about his businesse In some places Bels are rung to certaine orders but the quiet sléeper neuer tels the Clocke not to dwell too long vpon it I hold it the farewell of the night and the forerunner to the day the spirits watch and Reasons workemaster Farewell Two of the Clocke IT is now the second houre and the point of the Diall hath stept ouer the first stroake and now Time beginnes to draw backe the Curtaine of the night the Cocke againe cals to his Henne and the Watch beginne to bussâ—e toward their discharge The Bell-man hath made a great part of his walke and the Nurse beginnes to huggle the child to the Dugge the Cat sits playing with the Mouse which she hath catched and the Dog with his barking wakes the seruants of the house the studious now are neere vpon waking and the théefe will be gone for feare of being taken The Forresters now be about their walkes and yet stealers sometimâ— cozen the Kéepers Warreners now beginne to draw homeward and far dwellers from the towne will be on the way to the market The Souldier now lookes towards the Court de Garde and the Corporall takes care for the reliefe of the Watch the earnest Scholler will be now at his â—ooke and the thrifty Husbandman will rowse towards his rising the Seaman will now looke out for light and if the wind be faire hee cals
FANTASTICKS Seruing for A PERPETVALL Prognostication Descants of 1 The VVorld 2 The Earth 3 VVater 4 Ayre 5 Fire 6 Fish 7 Beasts 8 Man 9 VVoman 10 Loue. 11 Money 12 The Spring 13 Summer 14 Haruest 15 VVinter 16 The 12. Moneths 17 Christmas 18 Lent 19 Good Friday 20 Easter day 21 Morning 22 The 12. Houres 23 Midnight 24 The Conclusion LONDON Printed for Francis Williams 1626. To the VVorshipfull and worthy Knight Sir MARKE IVE of Riuers Hall in Essex N.B. wisheth on earth hearts ease and heauen hereafter SIR your many fauours and my small deserts make mee study how to discharge my selfe of ingratitude which not knowing better how to doe then by the labour of my spirit to shew the nature of my loue I haue thought good to present your patience with this little volume of varieties in which though the Title promise no matter of great worth yet it may be if you peruse it you shall finde somewhat that you may like in it howsoeuer it be it may serue you in the Winter to keepe you from sleep by the fire side and in the Summer in shady walkes to passe away idle time In briefe wishing it of that nature that might come neere the worthinesse of your acceptation I leaue it with my better seruice to the fauor of your good discretion and so in all humilitie rest Yours affectionately to command N. B. To the Reader IT was my hap of late walking thorow the fields to light vpon a peece of paper in which I found a kind of discourse set down vpon an imagination of midnight By whom it was written I know not but by whomsoeuer I liked it so well that wishing my selfe able to doe halfe so well I fell into an humor of imitating the veyne so neer as I could in description of the twelue houres the twelue moneths and some speciall dayes in the yere how wel to your liking I know not but my labour herein hath not bin little my desire much I meane to doe well which if I haue not I can be but sory that my dull wit hath not bin fed with a more pleasing humour but if you be able to iudge of the worth of it and like it I shall be more glad then proud of it howsoeuer it be hoping of your kindnes I leaue it to your like censure so loth to entertaine your patience with a long tale to little purpose I thus conclude and in affection and discretion I rest Your friend N. B. FANTASTICKS Descants of the Quarters Moneths and houres of the yeere with other matters The World TOuching my opinion of the world I will tell you as briefly as I can what I thinke of it a place wherein are contained the variety of things Men thinke women talk beasts féed birds flye fishes swim and wormes créep ayre pearceth windes blow cold nippeth fire heateth grasse groweth and time withereth Wealth is a Iewell and pouerty is a plague Conscience is a charge and care is a burden Pride is a Lord of misrule and beauty is painted Mars must yéeld to Mercury and Diana is a strange woman Cupid is an idle inuention and all is as good as nothing Loue is more talked of then proued Couetousnesse the key of wit Nature the trouble of Reason and Will the master of the Senses Beauty is an eye sore Learning a taske Ualour a heat and reason a study A King a great man a Souldier a stout man a Courtier a fine man a Lawyer a wise man a Merchant a rich man a Begger a poore man and an honest man an honest man Fayre weather is chearfull foule weather is melancholicke The day is lightsome and the night is darksom Meate is necessary and sléepe is easefull and drinke doth well and exercise doth not amisse Law is good and punishment is méet and reward would be thought on and fooles would be pityed and so Opinions differ and Iudgements vary and Time trauailes and Trueth is a vertue and wisedome an honor and honor is a title and Grace a gift and Patience a blessing and Content a Kingdome and so from one thing to another a trouble in all A kingdome full of care wit full of trouble power full of charge youth full of action Age full of griefe and none content with his condition wishing in one willing in another thinking in one doing in another working in one crossing in another thoughts words and déeds so different in their effects that for ought I can sée in it when I haue well considered of it I can say thus much of it He is happy that hath not to doe with it And not to dwell too long vpon it to conclude my opinion briefl◠of it I hold it the Labyrinth of wit and the toyle of vnderstanding the pilgrimage of patience and the purgatory of reason Farewell Loue. TOuching my Iudgement of Loue it is if it bee any thing such a thing to speake of that to tell truly I know not well what to say of it but yet what I imagine of it I will tell you at the first I ghesse it was an old nothing to exercise wit in idlenes and now is a kind of new-nothing to féed folly with imagination but be it what it will be or may be this wanton Loue that this world is too full of whatsoeuer it is thus much I find of it It is begotten by the eyes bred in the braines walkes in the tongue growes with the flesh and dyes in an humour and this ill commonly doth trouble wit hinder Arte hurt Nature disgrace Reason lose time and spoile substance It crosseth wisedome serueth Beautie and sotteth Folly weakneth strength and baseth Honour It is only Willes darling Patience triall and Passions torture the pleasure of melancholy and the play of madnesse the delight of varieties and the deuiser of vanities The Uirgins cracke and the Widowes crosse The Batchelors bane and the maried mans Purgatory the Yong mans misery and the Ageds consumption The abuse of Learning the ground of Enuy the stirrer of wrath and the cause of mischiefe The disquiet of the mind the distractor of the Wit the disturber of the Senses and the destruction of the whole body A fained god an idle fancy a kind of fury and in some kind a frenzy To conclude I hold it an Inuention of idlenesse and an Imagination of Indiscretion the plague of people an dt he mocke of the Word Farewell Money TO tell you mine opinion of money I thinke it the Monarch of the world the maintainer of Pride the Nurse of Couetousnesse the Steward of Lechery the sower of Sedition the cause of war the sacke of a City and the ouerthrow of a Campe The Gluttons Purueyour and the Drunkards Cupbearer the Thiefes tempter and the Hangmans Master The misguider of Wit the corrupter of Conscience the blinder of Reason and the ouerthrow of Honour the Usurers God the poore mans oppression the Lawyers hope the Laborers hire doth good
and quilted Cappes are now in the pride of their seruice and the Cooke and the Pantler are men of no meane office the Oxe and the fat Weather now furnish the market and the Coney is so ferreted that she cannot keepe in her borough the Currier the Lime-rod are the death of the fowle and the Faulcons bels ring the death of the Mallard the trotting gelding makes a way through the mire and the Hare the Hound put the Huntsman to his horne the barren Doe subscribes to the dish and the smallest séed makes sauce to the greatest flesh the dryed grasse is the horses ordinary and the meale of the beanes makes him goe through with his trauell Fishermen now haue a cold trade and trauellers a foule iourney the Cook room now is not the worst place in the Ship and the Shepheard hath a bleake seat on the Mountaine the Blackbird leaueth not a berry on the thorne and the garden earth is turned vp for her roots the water floods runne ouer the proud bankes and the gaping Dister leaues his shell in the streets while the proud Peacocke leaps into the pye Muscouia commodities are now much in request and the water Spaniell is a necessary seruant the Lode horse to the mill hath his full backe burthen and the Thresher in the barne tryes the strength of his flayle the Woodcocke and the Pheasant pay their liues for their féed and the Hare after a course makes his hearse in a pye the shoulder of a hog is a shooing horne to good drink and a cold almes makes a begger shrug To conclude I hold it a time of little comfort the rich mans charge and the poore mans misery Farewell February IT is now February the Sun is gotten vp a Cockestride of his climbing the Ualleyes now are painted white and the brookes are full of water the Frog goes to séeke out the Paddocke and the Crow and the Rooke begin to mislike their old Makes forward Connies begin now to kindle the fat grounds are not without Lambes the Gardiner fals to sorting of his seeds and the Husbandman falls afresh to scowring of his Ploughshare the Terme trauellers make the Shooe-makers Haruest and the Chaundlers cheese makes the chalke walke apace The Fishmonger sorts his ware against Lent and a Lambe-skinne is good for a lame arme the waters now alter the nature of their softnes and the soft earth is made stony hard The Ayre is sharp and piercing and the winds blow cold the Tauernes and the Innes seldome lack Guestâ— the Ostler knows how to gaine by his Hay the hunting Horse is at the héeles of the Hound while the ambling Nagge carrieth the Physitian and his footcloth the blood of Youth begins to spring and the honour of Art is gotten by Exercise The trees a little begin to bud and the sap begins to rise vp out of the root Physick now hath work among weake bodies and the Apothecaries drugges are very gainfull There is hope of a better time not farre off for this in it selfe is little comfortable and foâ— the small pleasure that I find in it I will thus briefly conclude of it It is the poore mans pick-purse and the misers cut-throat the enemy to pleasure and the time of patience Farewell March IT is now March and the Northerne wind dryeth vp the Southerne durt The tender Lippes are now maskt for feare of chopping and the faire hands must not be vngloued now riseth the Sunne a pretty step to his faire height and Saint Valentine calls the birds together where Nature is pleased in the varietie of loue the Fishes and the Frogs fall to their manner of generation and the Adder dyes to bring forth her young the Ayre is sharpe but the Sunne is comfortable and the day beginnes to lengthen The forward Gardens giue the fiue Sallets and a Nosegay of Uiolets is a present for a Lady Now beginneth Nature as it were to wake out of her sleepe and sends the Taueller to suruey the walkes of the World the sucking Rabbit is good for weake stomackes and the dyet for the Rhume doth many a great Cure The Farrier now is the horses Physitian and the fat Dog feeds the Faulcon in the Mew The Trée begins to bud and the grasse to péepe abroad while the Thrush with the Black-bird make a charme in the young Springs the Milke-mayd with her best beloued talke away wearinesse to the Market and in an honest meaning kind words doe no hurt the Foot-ball now tryeth the legges of strength and merry matches continue good fellowship It is a time of much worke and tedious to discourse of but in all I find of it I thus conclude in it I hold it the Seruant of Nature and the Schoole-master of Art the hope of labour and the Subiect of Reason Farewell Aprill IN is now April and the Nightingale begins to tune her throat against May the Sunny showers perfume the aire and the Bées begin to goe abroad for honey the Dewe as in Pearles hanâ—s vpon the tops of the grasse while the Turtles sit billing vpon the little gréene boughes the Trowt begins to play in the Brookes and the Sammon leaues the Sea to play in the fresh waters The Garden bankes are full of gay flowers and the Thorne and the Plumme send forth their faire Blossomes the March Colt begins to play and the Cosset Lamb is learned to butt The Poets now make their studies in the woods the Youth of the Country make ready for the Morris-dance the little Fishes lye nibling at a bait and the Porpas playes in the pride of the tide the shepheards pipe entertaines the Princesse of Arcadia and the healthfull Souldier hath a pleasant march The Larke and the Lambe looke vp at the Sun and the labourer is abroad by the dawning of the day Sheepes eyes in Lambs heads tell kind hearts strange tales while faith and troth make the true Louers knot the aged haires find a fresh life and the youthfull chéeks are as red as a cherry It were a world to set downe the worth of this moneth But in summe I thus conclude I hold it the Heauens blessing and the Earths comfort Farewell May. IT is now May and the swéetnesse of the Aire refresheth euery spirit the sunny beames bring forth faire Blossomes and the dripping Clouds water Floraes great garden the male Déere puts out the Ueluet head and the pagged Doe is neere her fawning The Sparhawke now is drawne out of the mew and the Fowler makes ready his whistle for the Quaile the Larke sets the morning watch and the euening the Nightingale the Barges like Bowers keep the streams of the swéet Riuers and the Mackrell with the Shad are taken prisoners in the Sea the tall young Oke is cut downe for the Maypole the Sithe and the Sickle are the Mowers furniture and fayre weather makes the Labourer merry the Physitian now prescribes the cold Whey and the Apothecary gathers the dew for
a medicine Butter Sage make the wholsome breakfâ—st but fresh chéese and creame are meat for a dainty mouth and the Strawbery and the Pescod want no price in the market the Chicken and the Ducke are fatned for the market and many a Goflin neuer liues to be a Goose. It is the moneth wherein Nature hath her full of mirth and the Senses are filled with delights I conclude It is from the Heauens a Grace to the Earth a Gladnesse Farewell Iune IT is now Iune and the Hay-makers are mustered to make an army for the field where not alwayes in order they march vnder the Bagge and the Bottle when betwixt the Forke and the Rake there is séene great force of armes Now doth the broad Oke comfort the weary Laborer while vnder his shady Boughes he sits singing to his bread and cheese the â—ay-cocke is the Poore mans Lodging and the fresh Riuer is his gracious Neighbour Now the Faulcon and the Tassell try their wings at the Partridge and the fat Bucke fils the great pasty the trees are all in their rich aray but the séely Shéep is turned out of his coat the Roses and swéet Herbes put the Distiller to his cunning while the gréene apples on the trée are ready for the great bellied wiues Now begins the Hare to gather vp her heeles and the Foxe lookes about him for feare of the Hound the Hooke and the Sickle are making ready for haruest the Medow grounds gape for raine and the Corne in the eare begins to harden the little Lads make Pipes of the straw and they that cannot dance will yet bee hopping the Ayre now groweth somewhat warme and the coole winds are very comfortable the Sayler now makes merry passage and the nimble Foot-man runnes with pleasure In briefe I thus conclude I hold it a sweet season the senses perfume and the spirits comfort Farewell Iuly IT is now Iuly and the Sunne is gotten vp to his height whose heat parcheth the earth and burnes vp the grasse on the mountaines Now begins the Canon of heauen to rattle and when the fire is put to the charge it breaketh out among the Cloudes the stones of congealed water cut off the eares of the Corne and the blacke stormes affright the faint-hearted the Stag and the Bucke are now in pride of their time and the hardnesse of their heads makes them fit for the Horner Now hath the Sparhawke the Partridge in the foot and the Ferret doth tickle the Cony in the borough Now doeth the Farmer make ready his teame and the Carter with his whip hath no small pride in his Whistle Now doe the Reapers try their backs and their Armes and the lusty Youthes pitch the sheafes into the Cart The old Partridge calles her Couey in the morning and in the euening the Shepheard fals to folding of his flocke the Sparrowes make a charme vpon the gréene Bushes till the Fowler come and take them by the dozens the Smelt now begins to be in season and the Lamprey out of the Riuer leapes into a Pye the Souldier now hath a hot march and the Lawyer sweats in his lâ—ned Gowne The Pedler now makes a long walke and the Aqua vitae Bottle sets his face on a fiery heat In summe I thus conclude of it I hold it a profitable season the Labourers gaine and the rich mans wealth Farewell August IT is now August and the Sunne is somewhat towards his declination yet such is his heat as hardeneth the soft clay dries vp the standing ponds wythereth the sappy leaues and scorcheth the skin of the naked now beginne the Gleaners to follow the Corne Cart and a little bread to a great deale of drinke makes the Trauailers dinner the Melowne and the Cucumber is now in request and Oyle and vineger giue attendance on the Sallet hearbes the Alehouse is more frequented then the Tauerne and a fresh Riuer is more comfortable then a fiery Furnace the Bathe is now much visited by diseased bodies and in the fayre Riuers swimming is a swéet exercise the Bow and the Bowle pirke many a purse and the Cockes with their héeles spurne away many a mans wealth The Pipe and the Taber is now lustily set on worke and the Lad and the Lasse will haue no lead on their héeles the new Wheat makes the Gossips Cake and the Bride Cup is caried aboue the heads of the whole Parish the Foâ— neâ—ty pot welcomes home the Haruest cart and the Garland of Flowers crownes the Captaine of the Reapers Oh 't is the mercy time wherein honest Neighbours make good chéere and God is glorified in his blessings on the earth In summe for that I find I thus conclude I hold it the worlds welfare and the earths Warming-pâ—â— Farewell September IT is now September and the Sunne begins to fall much from his height the medowes are left bare by the mouthes of hungry Cattell and the Hogges are turned into the Corne fields the windes begin to knocke the Apples heads together on the trees and the fallings are gathered to fill the Pyes for the Houshold the Saylers fall to worke to get afore the windâ— and if they spy a storme it puts them to prayer the Souldier now begins to shrug at the weather and the Campe dissolued the Companies are put to Garison the Lawyer now begins his Haruest and the Client pâ—yes for words by waight the Innes now begin to prouide for ghests and the night â—aters in the stable pinch the Trauailer in his bed Paper pen and inke are much in request and the quarter Sessions take order with the way-layers Câ—ales and wood make toward the Chimney and Ale and Sacke are in account with good fellowes the Butcher now knocks downe the great Béeues and the Poulters feathers make toward the Upholster Walflet Oysters are the Fishwiues wealth and Pippins fine are the Costermongers rich merchandise the flayle and the fan fall to worke in the Barne and the Corne market is full of the Bakers the Porkets now are driuen to the Woods and the home-fed Pigges make porke for the market In briefe I thus conclude of it I hold it the Winters forewarning and the Summers farewell Adieu October IT is now October and the lofty windes make bare the trées of their leaues while the hogs in the Woods grow fat with the falne Acorns the forward Déere begin to goe to rut and the barren Doe groweth good meat the Basket makers now gather their rods and the fishers lay their leapes in the déepe the loade horses goe apace to the Mill and the Meal-market is seldome without people the Hare on the hill makes the Greyhound a faire course the Foxe in the woods cals the Hounds to a full cry the multitude of people raiseth the price of wares and the smoothe tongue will sell much the Saylor now bestirreth his stumps while the Merchant liueth in feare of the weather the great feasts are now at hand for the City but the
poore must not beg for feare of the stockes a fire and a paiâ—e of Cards kéepe the ghests in the Ordinary and Tobacco is held very precious for the Rhewme The Coaches now begin to rattle in the stréet but the cry of the poore is vnpleasing to the rich Muffes and Cuffes are now in request and the shuttel-Cocke with the Battel-doore is a pretty house-exercise Tennis Baloune are sports of some charge and a quicke bandy is the Court-kéepers commodity dancing anâ—â—encing are now in some vse and kind hearts and true Louers lye close to kéepe off cold the Titmouse now kéepes in the hollow trée and the black bird sits close in the bottome of a hedge In briefe for the little pleasure I find in it I thus conclude of it I hold it a Messenger of ill newes and a second seruice to a cold dinner Farewell Nouember IT is now Nouember and according to the old Prouerbe Let the Thresher take his flayle and the ship no more sayle for the high winds and the rough seas will try the ribs of the Shippe and the hearts of the Sailers Now come the Countrey people all wet to the Market and the toyling Carriers are pittifully moyled The yong Herne and the Shoulerd are now fat for the great Feast and the Wood cocke begins to make toward the Cockeshoot the Warriners now beginne to plie their haruest and the Butcher after a good bargaine drinks a health to the Grasier the Cooke and the Comfitmaker make ready for Christmas and the Minstrels in the Countrey beat their boyes for false fingring Schollers before breakefast haue a cold stomacke to their bookes and a Master without Art is fit for an A B. C. A red herring and a cup of Sacke make warre in a weake stomacke and the poore mans fast is better then the Gluttons surfet Trenchers and dishes are now necessary seruants and a locke to the Cubboord kéepes a bit for a néede Now beginnes the Goshauke to wéede the wood of the Phesant and the Mallard loues not to heare the belles of the Faulcon The winds now are cold and the Ayre chill and the poore die through want of Charitie Butter and Chéese beginne to rayse their prices and Kitchen stuffe is a commoditie that euery man is not acquainted with In summe with a conceit of the chilling cold of it I thus conclude in it I hold it the discomfort of Nature and Reasons patience Farewell December IT is now December hée that walkes the stréets shall find durt on his shooes Except hée goe all in bootes Now doth the Lawyer make an end of his haruest and the Client of his purse Now Capons and Hennes beside Turkies Geese and Duckes besides Béefe and Mutton must all die for the great feast for in twelue dayes a multitude of people will not bée fed with a little Now plummes and spice Sugar and Honey square it among pies and broth and Gossip I drinke to you and you are welcome and I thanke you and how doe you and I pray you bée merrie Now are the Taylors and the Tiremakers full of worke against the Holidayes and Musicke now must bée in tune or else neuer the youth must dance and sing and the aged sit by the fire It is the Law of Nature and no Contradiction in reason The Asse that hath borne all the yeare must now take a little rest and the leane Oxe must féed till hée bée fat The Footman now shall haue many a foule step and the Ostler shall haue worke enough about the héeles of the Horses while the Tapster if hée take not heed will lie drunke in the Seller The prices of meat will rise apace and the apparell of the proud will make the Taylor rich Dice and Cardes will benefit the Butler And if the Cooke doe not lacke wit hée will swéetly licke his fingers Starchers and Launderers will haue their hands full of worke and Periwigs and painting wil not bee a little set by strange stuffes will bee well sold strange tales well told strange sights much sought strange things much bought and what else as fals out To conclude I hold it the costly Purueyour of Excesse and the after breeder of necessitie the practice of Folly and the Purgatory of Reason Farewell Christmas day IT is now Christmas and not a Cup of drinke must passe without a Caroll the Beasts Fowle and Fish come to a generall execution and the Corne is ground to dust for the Bakehouse and the Pastry Cards and Dice purge many a purse and the Youth shew their agility in shooing of the wild Mare now good cheere and welcome and God be with you and I thanke you and against the new yeare prouide for the presents the Lord of Mis-rule is no meane man for his time and the ghests of the high Table must lacke no Wine the lusty bloods must looke about them like men and piping and dauncing puts away much melancholy stolne Uenison is swéet and a fat Coney is worth money Pit-falles are now set for small Birdes and a Woodcocke hangs himselfe in a gynne a good fire heats all the house and a full Almes-basket makes the Beggers Prayers the Maskers and the Mummers make the merry sport but if they lose their money their Drumme goes dead Swearers and Swaggerers are sent away to the Ale-house and vnruly Wenches goe in danger of Iudgement Musicians now make their Instruments speake out and a good song is worth the hearing In summe it is a holy time a duty in Christians for the remembrance of Christ and custome among friends for the maintenance of good fellowship In briefe I thus conclude of it I hold it a memory of the Heauens Loue and the worlds peace the myrth of the honest and the meeting of the friendly Farewell Lent IT is now Lent and the poore Stockfish is sore beaten for his stubbornnesse the Herring dominiers like a Lord of great Seruice and the fruit of the Dairy makes a hungry Feast Fasting and mourning is the life of the poore and the Dogges grow leane with the lacke of bones while the Prisoners heart is nipt with penury the Beasts of the Forrests haue a bare feed and the hard crusts try the téeth of the Begger The Byrd hath a little shelter in the Bush and a bitter frost makes a backward Spring The Sunne giues but little warmth and the March wind makes the Ayre cold The Fisher-men now are the Rakers of the Sea and the Oyster gapes to catch hold of the Crab Solitarinesse and Melancholy bréed the hurt of Nature and the naked nesse of the Earth is the eyes discomfort Idle people sit picking of Sallets and necessity of exercise is an enemy to study the winds grow dangerous to the Sayler and the Rockes are the ruine of the Merchant the Sentinell now keeps a cold watch and the Sconce is nothing comfortable to the Souldier the shepheard hath little pleasure in his Pipe and Age hath but a dead feeling