3.

1 I have been praid to shew mine aid, in taking paine, not for the gaine, but for good will, to shew such skill as shew I could: That husbandrie with huswiferie as cock and hen, to countrie men, all strangenes gone, might ioine in one, as louers should. 2 I trust both this performed is, and how that here it shall appere, with iudgement right, to thy delight, is brought to passe: That such as wiue, and faine would thriue, be plainly taught how good from naught may trim be tride, and liuely spide, as in a glasse. 3 What should I win, by writing in my losses past, that ran as fast as running streame, from reame to reame that flowes so swift? For that I could not get for gould, to teach me how, as this doth yow, through daily gaine, the waie so plaine to come by thrift. 4 What is a grote or twaine to note, once in the life for man or wife, to saue a pound, in house or ground, ech other weeke?[E16] What more for health, what more for wealth, what needeth lesse, run Iack, helpe Besse, to staie amis, not hauing this, far off to seeke? 5 I do not craue mo thankes to haue, than giuen to me alreadie be, but this is all to such as shall peruse this booke: That for my sake, they gently take, where ere they finde against their minde, when he or she shall minded be therein to looke. 6 And grant me now, thou reader thow, of termes to vse, such choise to chuse, as may delight the countrie wight, and knowledge bring: For such doe praise the countrie phraise, the countrie acts, the countrie facts, the countrie toies, before the ioies of anie thing. 7 Nor looke thou here that euerie shere[E17] of euerie verse I thus reherse may profit take or vantage make by lessons such: For here we see things seuerall bee, and there no dike, but champion like, and sandie soile, and claiey toile, doe suffer[1] much. 8 This[2] being waid, be not afraid to buie to proue, to reade with loue, to followe some, and so to come by practise true: My paine is past, thou warning hast, th' experience mine, the vantage thine, may giue thee choice to crie or reioice: and thus adue. Finis T. Tusser.