AMANTIUM IRA AMORIS INTEGRATIO. [From the Paradise of Dainty Devices.] IN going to my naked bed, as one that would have slept, I heard a wife sing to her child, that long before had wept. She sighed sore, and sang full sweet, to bring the babe to rest, That would not cease, but cried still, in sucking at her breast. She was full weary of her watch, and grieved with her child, She rocked it, and rated it, until on her it smiled; Then did she say, "Now have I found the proverb true to prove, "The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of "love." Then took I paper, pen, and ink, this proverb for to write In register for to remain of such a worthy wight; As she proceeded thus in song unto her little brat, Much matter utter'd she of weight in place whereas she sate; 1 And proved plain, there was no beast, no creature bearing life Could well be known to live in love without dis cord and strife: Then kissed she her little babe, and sware by God above, The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love. I marvel much, pardie, quoth she, for to behold the rout, To see man, woman, boy, and beast, to toss the world about; Some kneel, some crouch, some beck, some check, and some can smoothly smile, And some embrace others in arms, and there think many a wile. Some stand aloof at cap and knee, some humble, and some stout, Yet are they never friends indeed until they once fall out. Thus ended she her song, and said, before she did remove, The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love. THOMAS TUSSER Was born (says Mr. Warton) at Rivenhall, in Essex, about the year 1523, and died in London, A. D. 1580. He was of an ancient family: was first placed as a chorister in the collegiate chapel of the castle of Wallingford; then impressed into the king's chapel, from whence he was admitted into the choir of St. Paul's cathedral, and completed his education at Eton, and Trinity college,Cambridge. From hence he was called up to court by his patron, William lord Paget; but, at the end of about ten years, exchanged the life of a courtier for the profession of a farmer, which he successively practised at Ratwood in Sussex, Ipswich, Fairstead, Norwich, and many other places. He was also, for some time, a singing-man in Norwich cathedral: but he prospered no where; and every period of his "singular life seems to have been marked by the ceaseless persecutions of fortune. At Ratwood he composed his " Five Hundred Points of good "Husbandrie, &c." which was printed in 1557, passed through many subsequent editions, and was reprinted (says the London Review for May, 1800) in 1710, with notes and observations by a Mr. Daniel Hilman, a surveyor, of Epsom, in Surrey. This work is a sensible and lively, though not an elegant didactic poem, being solely intended for the use of the practical farmer. The preface" to the buier of this book," begins with the following lines, in a metre afterwards adopted by Shenstone— What lookest thou herein to have? Fine verses, thy fancy to please? Of many, my betters, that crave: Look nothing but rudeness in these. In general, as Mr. Warton has justly observed, the work is ❝valuable as a genuine picture of the agriculture, the rural 66 arts, and the domestic economy and customs of our in"dustrious ancestors." The following specimens will sufficiently exemplify the style of this author. GOOD HUSWIFELY PHYSICK. GOOD huswife provides, ere sickness do come, Get water of fumitory, liver to cool, And others the like, or else lie like a fool. Though thousands hate physick, because of the cost, Yet thousands it helpeth, that else would be lost. Good broth, and good keeping, do much now and than; Good diet, with wisdom, best comforteth man. MORAL REFLECTIONS ON THE WINDS. THOUGH winds do rage, as winds were wood,1 Mad with rage. |