ANCIENT FARRIERY.
(For the Mirror.)
The following curious verses are copied from an engraving which the Farriers' Company have lately had taken from an old painting of their pedigree, on vellum, at the George and Vulture Tavern.
If suche may boast as by a subtile arte,
Canne without labour make excessive gayne,
And under name of Misterie imparte,
Unto the worlde the Crafie's but of their brayne.
How muche more doe their praise become men's themes
That bothe by art and labour gett their meanes.
And of all artes that worthe or praise doeth merite,
To none the Marshall Farrier's will submitt,
That bothe by Physicks, arte, force, hands, and spiritt
The Kinge and subject in peace and warre doe fitt,
Many of Tuball boast first Smythe that ever wrought,
But Farriers more do, doe than Tuball ever taught.
Three things there are that Marshalry doe prove
To be a Misterie exceeding farre,
Those wilie Crafte's that many men doe love.
Is unfitt for peace and more unaptt for warre,
For Honor, Anncestrie, and for Utilitie,
Farriers may boast their artes habilitie,
For Honor, view, this anncient Pedigree[2]
Of Noble Howses, that did beare the name
Of Farriers, and were Earles; as you may see,
That used the arte and did supporte the same,
And to perpetuall honour of the Crafte,
Castells they buylt and to succession left.
For anncestrie of tyme oh! who canne tell
The first beginning of so old a trade,
For Horses were before the Deluge fell,
And cures, and shoes, before that tyme were made,
We need not presse tyme farther then it beares,
A Company have Farriers beene 300 Yeres!!
And in this Cittie London have remayned
Called by the name of Marshall Farriers,
Which title of Kinge Edward the Third was gaynde,
For service done unto him in his warres,
A Maister and two Wardens in skill expert,
The trade to rule and give men their desert.
And for utilitie that cannot be denied,
That many are the Proffitts that arise
To all men by the Farriers arte beside.
To them they are tied, by their necessities,
From the Kinge's steede unto the ploweman's cart,
All stande in neede of Farriers skillfull arte.
In peace at hande the Farriers must be hadde,
For lanncing, healinge, bleedinge, and for shooeinge,
In Warres abroade of hym they wille be gladd
To cure the wounded Horsse, still he is douinge,
In peace or warre abroade, or ellse at home,
To Kinge and Countrie that some good may come.
Loe! thus you heare the Farriers endelesss praise,
God grant it last as many yeres as it hath lasted Daies.
Anno Dni 1612.