A description of housekeeping. 67 
27. 
‘| A description of housekeeping. 
Chap. 25. 
I HAT then of this talent, while here we remaine, 
to studie to yeeld it to God with a gaine ? 
And that shall we doo, if we doo it not hid, 
but vse and bestow it, as Christ doth vs bid. 
z What good to get riches by breaking of sleepe, 
but (hauing the same) a good house for to keepe ? 
Not onely to bring a good fame to thy doore, 
but also the praier to win of the poore. 
3 Of all other dooings house keeping is cheefe, 
for daily it helpeth the poore with releefe ; 
The neighbour, the stranger, and all that haue neede, 
which causeth thy dooings the better to speede. 
4 Though harken’ to this we should euer among, 
yet cheefly at Christmas, of all the yeare long. 
Good cause of that vse may appeare by the name, 
though niggerly niggards doo kick at the same. 
28. 
“| 4 description of the feast of the birth 
of Christ, commonly called Christmas.’ 
Chaps 26: 
I F Christ cometh Christmas, the name with the feast, 
a time full of ioie to the greatest and least : 
At Christmas was Christ (our Sauiour) borne, 
the world through sinne altogether forlorne. 
1 hardnes. 1577. * A description of Christmas. 1577. 
