Part 22 (1/2)

To write such vile and filthy words; But would they cleanse their filthy tails, Whilk over the mires and middings[12] trails, Then should my writing cleansed be, None other' mends they get of me.

Quoth Lyndsay, in contempt of the side tails, That duddrons[13] and duntibours[14] through the dubbes trails.

[1] 'Side tails:' long skirts.

[2] 'Mene:' complain.

[3] 'Irk:' May feel annoyed.

[4] 'Claggocks:' draggle-tails.

[5] 'Raploch:' homespun.

[6] 'Cleckit:' born.

[7] 'Cleid:' clothe.

[8] 'Duddron:' s.l.u.t.

[9] 'Nor:' than.

[10] 'Flyting:' scolding.

[11] 'Bourds:' jest.

[12] 'Middings:' dunghills.

[13] 'Duddrons:' s.l.u.ts.

[14] 'Duntibours:' harlots.

THOMAS TUSSER.

Of Tusser we know only that he was horn in the year 1523, was well educated, commenced life as a courtier under the patronage of Lord Paget, but became a farmer, pursuing agriculture at Ratwood in Suss.e.x, Ipswich, Fairsted in Ess.e.x, Norwich, and other places; that he was not successful, and had to betake himself to other occupations, such as those of a chorister, fiddler, &c.; and that, finally, he died a poor man in London in the year 1580. Tusser has left only one work, published in 1557, ent.i.tled 'A Hundred Good Points of Husbandrie,' written in simple but sometimes strong verse. It is our first, and not our worst didactic poem.

DIRECTIONS FOR CULTIVATING A HOP-GARDEN.

Whom fancy persuadeth, among other crops, To have for his spending sufficient of hops, Must willingly follow, of choices to choose, Such lessons approved as skilful do use.

Ground gravelly, sandy, and mixed with clay, Is naughty for hops, any manner of way.

Or if it be mingled with rubbish and stone, For dryness and barrenness let it alone.

Choose soil for the hop of the rottenest mould, Well dunged and wrought, as a garden-plot should; Not far from the water, but not overflown, This lesson, well noted, is meet to be known.

The sun in the south, or else southly and west, Is joy to the hop, as a welcomed guest; But wind in the north, or else northerly east, To the hop is as ill as a fray in a feast.

Meet plot for a hop-yard once found as is told, Make thereof account, as of jewel of gold; Now dig it, and leave it, the sun for to burn, And afterwards fence it, to serve for that turn.

The hop for his profit I thus do exalt, It strengtheneth drink, and it favoureth malt; And being well brew'd, long kept it will last, And drawing abide--if ye draw not too fast.

HOUSEWIFELY PHYSIC.

Good housewife provides, ere a sickness do come, Of sundry good things in her house to have some.

Good _aqua composita_, and vinegar tart, Rose-water, and treacle, to comfort thine heart.