Classic Poem

Upon William Sharp a Colliers' ploughing the Moulhill or sandy bank neer Apthorp bridge

Sharp witted Will to occupy some land
Enterd a Tenant to the sand-
y moulhill at the bridg
One would have guest it like the shore
But He did make it bring forth more
by's Colliers priviledg
Wherfore since he proves undertaker
Though't measurd be by foot not Aker
soe much his labour's blest
As that a Crop it brings him forth
And of pains taking shews the worth
which payes with interest
He is himself both Plough and Share
Smal husbandry's Great manager
'thout yoak and Cattles Jossel
What from an handfull on the ground
Was first bestowd again he found
increast unto a Bushel
Nor had he need of Barn with bayes
When all the Corn he gets he layes
in some smal payle at best
And then to thresh it doth noe more
Than of his shovel make a flore
his famely to feast
Which doth consist of These 'thout strife
One Dog one Cat Himself and wife
barrend through time and age
Noe full bords to invite a Mouse
Nor any riches in the house
a Theef for to engage
But whilst he doth enjoy the ease
Of a safe life which best doth pleas
his houshould Deities
Free as the ayre he breaths all care
Of Sequestration and warr
he utterly defies
Soe when the Evning shuts up day
He doth his wearied limms display
upon the bed of sleep
Judging all Cedar of the hill
In vaine when as light-strawe-thatch will
him dry and warmer keep
He careth not for flower of wheat
Cockle and wild oats are his meat
which boyled in a pan
Or Pipkin rather, not in folio
Least soe his pottage mock on Olio
Well smackt with Onion
For the next meal't maybe he'l guather
Sharp nettles or smooth mallowes rather
fro'th'common mead therby
To's neighbour River make adress
For water when he's in distress
through thirst and very dry.
(Though poor he doth noe Cattle lack
For some are crawling on his back
yet such as noe plough tugg
Which with their six feet nimbly pass
Til at the last they'r turnd to grass
with an Italian Shugg)
He hath noe heards of's own but free
Can others as they straggle see
all ore the fields to wander
And wondring all men not consent
(Whilst Nature is with les content)
to be their own commander
But prostetuting Theirs alone
Not only to each motion
of news that treads the streets
Each covets and therin seems wise
Entitled to all avarice
which he in noe sort meets
In the meantime he'l not resist
Knowing wherin his good consists
but happines declare
To be alone dowry to such
As content having not much
rejoyce with shorter fare.