13
Some commons are barren, the nature is such,
and some ouer laieth the common too much.
The pestered commons small profit doth geeue,
and profit as little some reape I beleeue.
14
Some [pester] the commons, with iades and with geese,
with hog without ring and with sheepe without fleese.
Some lose a daie labour with seeking their owne,
some meet with a [bootie] they would not haue knowne.[E288]
15
Great troubles and losses the champion sees,[12]
and euer in [brauling], as wasps among bees:
As charitie that waie appeereth but small,
so lesse be their winnings, or nothing at all.
16
Where champion wanteth[E289] a swineherd for hog,
there many complaineth of naughtie mans dog.
Where ech his owne keeper appoints without care,
there corne is destroied er men be aware.
17
The land is well [harted] with helpe of the fold,
for one or two crops, if so long it will hold.
If shepherd would keepe them from [stroieng] of corne,
the [walke] of his sheepe might the better be borne.
18
Where stones be too manie, annoieng thy land,
make seruant come home with a stone in his hand.
By daily so dooing, haue plentie yee shall,
both [handsome] for pauing and good for a wall.
¶ Dairie matters.
19
From April beginning, till [Andrew] be past,
so long with good huswife, hir dairie doth last.
Good milchcow and pasture, good husbands prouide,
the [resdue] good huswiues knowes best how to guide.
¶ Ill huswiferie.
20
Ill huswife vnskilful to make hir owne [chees],
through trusting of others hath this for hir fees.
Her milke pan and creame pot, so [slabbered] and [sost],
that butter is wanting and cheese is halfe lost.