He told his wife what he intended to do,

Quoth he, sweet wife, if I can prevail,

I will shoo horses, and thou shalt sell Ale.

I see by my labour but little I thrive,

And that against the stream I do strive

By selling of Ale some money is got,

If every man honestly pay for his pot:

By this we may keep the wolf from the door,

And live in good fashion though now we live poor,

If we have good custom, we shall have quick sale,