BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD HOUSEWIFERY.
By Thomas Tusser, who died 1580.
Ill huswifery lieth
Till nine of the clock:
Good huswifery trieth
To rise with the cock.
Ill huswifery trusteth
To him and to her:
Good huswifery lusteth
Herself for to stir.
Ill huswifery careth
For this, nor for that:
Good huswifery spareth
For fear ye wot what.
Ill huswifery pricketh
Herself up in pride:
Good huswifery tricketh
Her house as a bride.
Ill huswifery one thing
Or other must crave;
Good huswifery nothing
But needful will have.
Ill huswifery moveth
With gossip to spend:
Good huswifery loveth
Her household to tend.
Ill huswifery brooketh
Mad toys in her head;
Good huswifery looketh
That all things be fed.
Ill huswifery bringeth
A shilling to naught:
Good huswifery singeth—
Her coffers full fraught.
Ill huswifery rendeth
And casteth aside:
Good huswifery mendeth
Else would it go wide.
Ill huswifery craveth
In secret to borrow;
Good huswifery saveth
To-day, for to-morrow.
Ill huswifery pineth,
Not having to eat
Good huswifery dineth
With plenty of meat.
Ill huswifery letteth
The devil take all:
Good huswifery setteth
Good brag of a small.
