Classic Poem

" Well met, well met, my friend, all on the highway riding "
So simply all alone.
I pray come tell to me what may your calling be,
Are you some serving-man?"
" Oh no, my brother dear, what makes you to inquire
Of any such thing at my hand?
Indeed I'll not refrain but I will tell you plain,
I am a downright husbandman."

" If a husbandman you be, pray come along with me
And instantly out of hand.
All in a little space I will help you to some place
Where you shall be a serving-man."
" As for thy diligence I return thee many thanks.
I require no such thing at your hand.
But something to me show where oft-time I may know
The pleasures of a serving-man."

" Why, at court we must be dressed in our livery the best,
Fine and gay with our hats in our hands;
Our shirts are white as milk, our stockings made of silk,
There's clothing for a serving-man."
" As for thy rich attire it's not fitting for to wear
Nor to ramble the bushes among.
Give me a good greatcoat and in my purse a groat.
There's clothing for a husbandman."

" A servant man do eat the best of dainty meat,
Such as peacock, capons, goose and swan;
Where lords and ladies dine they drink sugar in their wine,
That's living for a serving-man."
" As for thy goose and capon, give me good beans and bacon,
Some butter and some cheese now and then;
To have good brawn and sauce all in a farmer's house,
That's living for the husbandman."

" Is it not a fine thing to ride out with the king,
A duke, lord, or any such a one,
To hear the horns to blow, see the hounds all in a row?
There's pleasure for the servant man."
" My pleasure's more than that, to my oxen fat,
My corn for to flourish in my land.
My ploughing and my sowing, my reaping and my mowing,
That's pleasure for the husbandman."

" Well sir, I must confess your calling is the best,
So I'll give you the upper hand.
Neither lord nor duke nor king nor any such a one
Can do without the husbandman."
" So both now and for ever I'll do my best endeavour
To support the servant man.
For evermore I'll pray by night and day,
May heaven bless the husbandman."