Though fence, well kept, is one good point, Thus think I best, As friend doth guest, With hand in hand to lead thee forth, TO CERES camp, there to behold This introduction was first added to the edition of 1580. It is wanting in that of 1573, which, on the whole, however, is an excellent edition. To keep touch, is a proverbial form of expression for being punctual to engagements, particularly of a pecuniary nature. Ceres, Goddess of Husbandry. What look ye for more in my book? Points needfull and meet to be known? To save to be suer thine own. THE COMMODITIES OF HUSBANDRY. Let house have to fill her, No dwellers, what profiteth house for to stand? No husbandry used, how soon shall we sterve? No knowledge, no thrift, The father an unthrift, what hope for the son? Suer for sure, fier for fire, tion for tion, &c. are frequent expedients with our author, to eke out his lines. Indeed, these and similar words and terminations were often used as dissyllables by the old English poets. If we except, however, the early standard editions of Tusser, sure and fire are invariably printed, by which the line is made to limp. Though the affectation of aitches for aches, in order to perfect the measure, is ridiculous or contemptible, an author ought not to be made responsible for faults which he has not committed. 2 In "The Commodities of Husbandry," we have some brief but impressive maxims, which highly deserve attention and regard. CHAP. VII. As true as thy faith, This riddle thus saith. I SEEM but a drudge, yet I pass any king, If long I be absent, what falleth not down ? If long I be present, what goodness can want? Though things, at my coming, were never so scant. With treasure and pleasure I richly requite. This riddle would be of no difficult solution, even without the marginal explanation. In line 5 the author means that the sea is his fishpond. See Ed, 1573. |