Classic Poem

A nobleman lived in a valley of late,
Who met a poor thresherman whose family was great.
" I say thou'st got seven children, I find it to be true.
How dost thou maintain them as well as thou do?"

" Sometimes I do reap and sometimes I do mow,
Sometimes out a-hedging and ditching I do go.
There's nothing comes amiss from the harrow to the plough
That I have got to get my bread by the sweatings of my brow.

" Although the times are bad and we are very poor
We can scarcely keep the raging wolf from the door.
My wife she is willing to join in my yoke
And live like turtle doves and never do provoke."

" Now since thou hast spoken so well of thy wife,
I'll provide for thee all the days of my life.
Here's fifty acres of good land I'll freely give to thee,
To maintain thy wife and thy loving family."