Master.—Well, ploughman, how do you do your work?
Ploughman.—O sir, I work very hard. I go out in the dawning, driving the oxen to the field, and I yoke them to the plough. Be the winter never so stark, I dare not stay at home, for fear of my lord; but, every day I must plough a full acre or more, after having yoked the oxen, and fastened the share and the coulter to the plough.
Master.—Have you any mate?
Ploughman.—I have a boy, who drives the oxen with a goad, who is now however hoarse from cold and shouting.
Master.—What more do you do in the day?
Ploughman.—Truly I do more. I must fill the mangers of the oxen with hay, and water them, and carry out the dung.
Master.—Well, well, it is very hard work!
Ploughman.—Yes, indeed, it is very hard work, because I am not free.
The Shepherd.
Master.—How say you, shepherd? Have you any work to do?