IN this Bursse , or Exchange of humane affayres , which consisteth ( as it were ) altogeather in Marchandize , bargayning , buying & selling , it is very meete and necessary that there shoulde be men of all manners , conditions , and callinges : as the Princes or Potentats , Dukes , Earles , Barons , Knightes , Esquires , Gentlemen , Yeomen , Husbandmen , Taylor , Tanner , and Tinker , Cowper , Carter and Cobler , with men of all other estates , degrees , and professions , summoned vpon for fayture of .10 . l. in Issues to appeare , with money or ware alwayes ready , to mayntaine this Mundane market . If then without euery of these professions , there can be no well gouerned Common wealth : ( For if all men shoulde be Kinges , then cunning Coblers should loose their craft : yf , all Coblers , Princes soueraintie would quickly surceasse : ) How then commeth it to passe that so many Heresies are crept into one Religion , so many diseases into one body , and so many aspyring mindes into this Common-wealth of England ? For the Cobler would be a Shoomaker , the Shoomaker a Tanner , the Tanner a Grasier : so that no man resteth contented with his vocation . But mee thinkes I heare one cry vnto mee , Hoe syr Iohn lacklattin , you are out of the text , your tongue trottes so vpon Tanners , Taylors , & Tinkers , that I feare me you will eyther loose your way amongst these cobling Carters , or els runne yourselfe out of breath : which if you do , your promyse to your profession wil be slenderly performed , and our expectacions frustrate , so that we shal be forced to say with the Fable in Esope , Perturiunt Montes paritur ridiculus Mus , His promise is golden Hilles , but his performance durtie Dales : Sutor ne vltra Crepitam : the pott is sull , therefore youth , drinke a health to the Gentlemanly profession of Seruingmen , and returne to your purpose . Seruingmen ( sayes my gaffer Thomsons eldest sonne ) as they are namelesse in this former Catalogue ; so I holde them needeles in any well gouerned Common wealth . Russet coate I tell thee , if thou canst holde the Plough no better then thou canst holde this argument , I holde thy thorow thrift scarse able to prouide lyquor for thy throate : But as thou by profession , art not the meanest member in this vnited body , yf thou consider thy calling accordingly , without aspiring higher , or manifesting thy mallice by scalding thy lyppes in other mens Pottage : So I leaue thee to thy labor ; wishing thee in thy profession no lesse prosperitie , then health and happines to my selfe . But since this whole text is too tedious for my trauell , vnwilling to vndertake the cutting out of a Garment , before I can heele a Hose ; I will first implo●● my endeuour to threede the needle , to intreate of one of ●●ese members , and leaue the body for a ●●tter workeman : in which member more matter consisteth , then qui mihi Du●●nis is able to comprehende : But Cum de●●unt vires ●●min est laudanda voluntas , As the poore must mixe Beanes and Pease with their Breadcor●●e this deare yeere , for Wheate and Rie is too highly rated , vnlesse it be knauerie , which seldome or neuer misseth a plentifull yeere in what ground soeuer it be sowen : So must I yeelde you a Loafe of course Cockle , hauing no acquaintance with Coyne to buy Corne , which though it may be hard of digestion , yet I hope it will not be much vnholsome .

This Loafe is the profession of Seruingmen , not course for the calling , but in respect of the workeman , whose short time in his trade , hath gayned him so small experience , as he can hardly as yet fashyon a loafe of fine Cocket : but fine or course , such as it is , you must eyther eate or starue , for any bread of my baking . This Loafe ( as I sayd before ) this state and profession of Seruingmen , is the onely marke whereat I ayme : whose original , and to what ende it was ordained , I meane first to declare . Secondly , how florishing was the prime of this profession . And thirdly , the ruine and decay of this ancient buylding . In the first creation of Adam and Eue , there needed no Superioritie , nor members for this body , being altogeather planted and seated in all happines and perfectnes of Nature : but the offence committed , and the forfayture enrolde , that Man for his transgression Should eate the Labours of his handes by the Sweate of his browes , and that the commaunde , Increase and Multiplie , was strictly by the law of Nature obserued : Tract of time yeelded so plentifull an increase , as it grew very needefull that this body should be drawen into seuerall members , to auoyde a ca●●es of confusion , and frame an artificiall buylding . For euen as a Logge of wood vnwrought , yeeldes neither profite nor pleasure , but being sawne , hewne , and squared , serues for many seuerall vses ; for that which will not be a Bedde , wil be a Boord , a Table , or Trusse , so that euery peece hauing his proportion , will execute his office : Euen so this consort of Companions , not knowing seuerally the partes of their profession , restes very troublesome one to another : for all desiring to be Heades , then the body must needes fall for want of Eyes to direct him ; and if all Eyes , then it must needes perish for want of a mouth to feede him : But being deuided into members , euery one vsing his office , and resting contented with his estate , the body remaynes in perfect health & happines . Now in the knitting of these ioyntes togeather , euery officer according to his aptnes was appoynted . First the King as head , for his magnanimitie : then others adorned with the tytles of Nobilitie and gentrie , their mindes no lesse meriting : And lastly , the Comminaltie at the commaund of these mercifull Maiestrates . These Princes and Potentates thus seated in the solace of their soueraintie , thought it very meete and necessarie , to chose and ordayne one sort of Seruantes for their profite and pleasure ( ouer and besides their seruile sottes , as Dicke to droyle , Ralph to runne , Kit the Cater , with other Gouldsmythes of their occupation : ) which sort of Seruantes were knowen from the rest by the names of Seruingmen . Now being come to their names , it is necessarie to know of what mettall these ministers were moulded , and what sort of people were thought fittest for this frame , considering the ende for which they were ordayned . First they were chosen men of witte , discretion , gouernment , and good bringing vp , considering their Soueraignes , Lordes , and Maisters serious busines , waightie affayres , and worldly wealth , was for the most part committed to their custodie and care : Whose vigilant eye , willing minde , and faythfull forecast diligently to discharge that duetie , was thought so necessarie , as choyce they were of them they admitted to this calling .

Secondly , men of v●●loure and courage , not fearing to fight in the mayntenance of their Maisters credite , in his iust quarrell , against his forraine foe , if occasion were offered : and also , if any Countries causes called him abrode , to garde and defende him agaynst Newmarket Heathes commissioners , or any consories of their craft .

Thirdly , men of strength , & actiuitie , to be excellent in shooting , running , leaping , dauncing , pitching the Barte , throwing the Hammer , or other feates of lyke facultie , wherewith Potentates in times past were highly pleased .

Fourthly , men fine , neate , and nimble , in regarde of their nearenes about their Maister , his apparel and cates : for the Clowne , the Slouen , and Tom althummes , are as farre vnfit for this profession , as Tarletons toyes for Paule , Pulpit : betwixt which , though I make a comparison , yet to the place I reserue a reuerend regarde .

Fiftly and lastly , men of qualitie to be seene in haulking , hunting , fyshing and fowling , with all such like Gentlemanly pastimes : All which being required in a Seruingman , and naturally belonging to a Gentleman : Amongst what sort of people should then this Seruingman be sought for ? Euen the Dukes sonne preferred Page to the Prince , the Earles seconde sonne attendant vpon the Duke , the Knights seconde sonne the Earles Seruant , the Esquires sonne to weare the Knightes lyuerie , and the Gentlemans sonne the Esquiers Seruingman : Yea , I know at this day , Gentlemen younger brothers , that weares their elder brothers Blew coate and Badge , attending him with as reuerend regard and duetifull obedience , as if he were their Prince or Soueraigne . Where was then , in the prime of this profession , goodman Tomsons Iacke , or Robin Roushe my gaffer russetcoats seconde sonne ? the one holding the Plough , the other whipping the Carthorse , labouring like honest men in their vocation : Tricke Tom the Taylor was then a Tiler for this trade , as strange to finde a Blew-coate on his backe with a badge on his sleeue , as to take Kentstreete without a Scoulde , or Newmarket-heath without a Commissioner . But now being lapt in his Liuerie , he thinketh him selfe as good a man , with the Sheares at his backe , as the Poet Lawret with a penne in his eare : Notwithstanding for his profession I holde it profitable , and him selfe a good member , yf his Sheares do not canker , nor his Needle rust . And if there must be one amongst artificers , Coblers , and Carters , chosen felow of this facultie , I holde the Taylor not vnfittest : First , in regard his trade tyeth him to no vncleanlines : and secondly , that his Maisters apparell be kept in reparations : for nothing more vnseemely in a ciuile Gentleman , then his apparell out of repayre , torne , or broken . Agayne , yf he be a felow of an humble spirit , he may pleasure his friendes , and profite him selfe : his friendes , I meane his felow seruantes , without blot or stayne to his birth , or trade .

Two thinges , it should seeme , were holden in high regard amongst the founders of this fraternitie of Seruingmen : the preseruation of ancient Houses , and , the mayntenance of the Commons in their calling . First , for the vpholding of Hospitalitie or auncient Houses , a Gentleman by antiquitie , or an Esquire by his calling , waighing and worthyly considering his wealth & worshyp , in this wauering worlde of wretchednes , hauing by Gods prouidence sent him .vi. or .viii. Sonnes , proper & personable men , wel meriting for their myndes and manners , callyng I say to mynde the credite he caryed in his Countrey , the men he mainteined , the poore prouided for by pence from his purse , the blacke Iack ietting from haul to butterie , from butterie to barrel , from barrel backe for the hauls health , where good felowes dyuing into the deapth of this ditch , leaues in the bottome this inscription : God saue the founders .

Of all these , with many moe , the good Gentleman meditating in his minde , sayes with him selfe : If I shall leaue my Land and liuing , my Kine and Coyne , equally deuided amongst my children , imparcially proporcioning to euery one his part , the youngest to the heire and eldest no way inferiour for worldly fortune : then shall the dignitie of my degree , the hope of my house , & the mayntenance of these before mentioned members , be quite ( as Issue extinct ) buried in the bottomles pit of obliuion . What , shall the light of my Lampe for want of Oyle be blemished , and my House for want of Lyuing sustayne the reprochfull name of a Mock-begger ? Virtus post funera viuit . And shall I not leaue my name noted in the booke of ensuing ages ? Yes , yes verely , Thou my eldest Sonne , that shall suruiue thy dying father , holde heere , wholly my Land I leaue thee , that my name may remayne registred in thy posteritie , thy byrthright by holy writ doth challenge it . Let therefore the example of Esaw be euer coated in the margent : Let couetousnes neuer corrupt thee , nor pleasures so much preuayle , as for Pottage to hazard thy Parentage : but let thy minde and manners be euer equally matched according to thy birth & calling , that thy fathers foregoing may teach thee to folow . Maynteine thy right , & loose no part of that which the law of libertie hath allotted thee . According to thy abilitie mainteyne Hospitalitie : for that is the harbourer of two hopes , prayse , & prayers : yet let Liberalitie be the Linke to light thee , least Couetousnes might corrupt , or Prodigalitie procure penurie , in medio concistet virtus , euery meane betwixt two extreames , is a vertue : so is liberalitie , betwixt auarice and prodigalitie , being placed : this meane in al musicke yeelds a most heauenly harmonie . Thus not doubting but in thee to liue after my Funerals be solemnized , committing the honour of my House to the care of thy credite , and thee with it to the tuition of th almightie .

And you my younger sonnes , to whom I allow no lesse loue then the law of nature doth allot , I giue euery one of you yeerely , to mainteyne you from miserie , an annual rent during your natural liues : with payment of which rent your eldest brothers land shall remayne charged ; so that the Legasie I leaue you , you may assuredly receaue : exceede not your exhibition , but liue within compasse , tyll your care and diligence , being sowne in seruice , it may yeelde you a more plentifull Haruest . For I tell you , my younger Children , Seruice I meane shal be your inheritance : wherfore I will you , and euery of you , with modest mindes , and humble spirites , by diligence to augment your portions . And thus much for the preseruation of ancient Houses . Now it foloweth , with what care the maintenance of the commons in their calling , was in this election considered . For this Mundaine market was wholly maintayned by three Merchauntes , the supporters of this whole societie : fyrst the Prince or Soueraigne : secondly , the Nobilitie with gentrie : and the Commons the thirde calling . Now the Prince , being but one alone person , could lende no part to this profession : and for the Commons , there were many causes to keepe them in their accustomed consort . For if they should take Peter patch-pannell from the Cart to the Court , from the Plough to the Parlour , from the Sacke to the Saddle , and from course Karsie to handsome habite , this Shippe hauing one of her Cables thus crackt , might in a storme hazarde the whole , for want of such like necessaries to preuent the extremitie of winde and weather . Considering therefore that the Plough was the Potentates power , and Corne the kinges Commaunder , it was thought good not to lame it of any limbe , especially not of any such necessarie limbe as the houlder or the dryuer : for take but away a Yokesticke , the Yoke falles , the Plough standes , and the Haruest is hindered : Much more the mayming of eyther the before mentioned members . All artificers , Colliers , Coblers , and Carters , are consortes of this Craft , and maynteyners of this Misterie : And if any of them , nay any member of any of them be a missing , it doth blemysh the body crosse the company , and hinder the hope of this happie Haruest .

Since therefore , as I sayd before , the Plough is the Princes repast , the Maisters meate , the Seruantes sustenance , and the poores prouender ; the Potentates as good Phisitians , had alwayes an eye that no hurt should happen to hinder the health of this blessed body , the blemish whereof might bryng bane and bayle into their owne bosome . You see the two causes so highly had in esteeme in the choyce of Seruingmen : the mayntenance of auncient Houses , and the Commons in their calling . And thus much for the originall and ende of Seruingmens fyrst ordeyning . Now foloweth how florishing was the prime of this profession .

Euen as Adam our fyrst Parent , in the perfection of all pleasure placed in Paradice , God in his wysedome thought this seate too solitarie for him alone , so framed him a felow for his further content , helpe , and comfort : but what was the mettall that his mate was made of , considering that two of a contrary nature being matched togeather could neuer agree : and that these two must continually accompany togeather the one with thother , as in a consort without discorde ; thought it meete and necessarie to match them as neare as might be , so casting Adam into a dead sleepe , tooke a Ribbe from his left side , whereof he framed the Woman : which being made of the same moulde , euen part of his owne body , he combined togeather in vndesoluable bondes of assured friendshyp : Euen so , Gentlemen and States considering their calling , thought it very meete and necessarie to haue a helpe , to further them in euery of their actions : which helpe , though not to them so seruiceable as Eue to Adam yet so needeful vnto them , & so necessarie about them , as it was thought meete , this helpe or Seruaunt should be made of their owne mettall , euen a Loafe of their owne dough : which being done , as before I haue declared , the Gentleman receaued euen a Gentleman into his seruice , and therefore did limit him no other labour then belonged him selfe , as to helpe him readie in the morning , to brush his apparrel , Cloake , Hatte , Girdle , or other garment , trusse his poyntes , fetch him water to wash , with other such like necessaries . His Maister thus made ready , yf it pleased him to walke abrode , then to take his Liuerie and Weapon to attende him , being himselfe ready , handsome , and well appoynted : at his returne , yf it pleased him to eate , then with all diligence , decently and comely to bring his meate to the Table , and thereon in seemely sort being placed , with a reuerend regarde to attende him , placing and displacing dyshes at the first or seconde course , according as occasion shall serue , tyll time commaunde to take away : which done , grace sayd , and the Table taken vp , the Plate presently conueyed into the Pantrie , the Haul summons this consort of companions , ( vpon payne to dyne with Duke Humfrie , or kisse the Hares foote ) to appeare at the first call : where a song is to be song , the vndersong or holding whereof is , It is merrie in Haul , when Beardes wagges all : But beardlesse Brian , and long toothed Tom , whose teeth be longer then his beard , sayth the inditer of this dittie , was as farre ouerseene in misplacing a worde , as the founders of Broughton Church in Crauen in Yorkshyre was , in placing it without an Alehouse : or , he that giueth his friende a potte of Ale in a frostie mornyng without a Toast , for that is the appurtenance therunto belonging : ( Beardes for Choppes ) say they is the right of it , for it is merrie in Haull when Choppes wagges all : But Beardes or Choppes whether so euer , they both agree to bid a base to the chine of Beefe , which being sore battered with many fresh assaultes , retyres backe agayne to his houlde the Kitchen , if he be able to abyde a seconde charge : yf not , then he dyes manfully in the feelde , vpon the poynt of his enemies weapon , who pursues him with such hatred , as they euen eate him for very anger , or hunger , choose you whether : and not so contented , they commit his very boones to the Dogges to gnaw , for his further persecution .

And if any other enemies of lesse esteeme incounter them in this hot conflict , all goes to the potte , vnlesse some sparke of mercie mooue their mindes to repriue these prisoners tyll the next assises to be holden in the Haull aforesayd : which seruice performed , and they satisfied , the Maister calles to go on huntyng , haulkyng , fishyng , or fowlyng , in which he taketh most pleasure , or thinketh fit for the tyme . Then the Seruingman , or men , with all diligence prepare them selues to the feelde , euery one willing to shew his skil , to delight his Maister in which of these recreations he taketh most pleasure . Thus passing the day with these , or such lyke sportes , the nyght calleth them home , where the whole seruice of the Seruingman is styll imployde about his Maister . No seruile seruice was then sought for at the Seruingmans hand , though no Gentelman but standeth neede of some moylyng mate to droyle about his drudgerie . How florishyng then the state of Seruingmen was in these dayes , he that hath eares to heare , let him heare . What sport or pastime in feelde or at home , pleasing the eye , or delyghting the care , could the Maister any way haue , but the Seruant was thereof equall partaker ? What was the difference then , wyll some say , betwixt the Maister and the Man , yf their pleasures were equall ? for then it had been as good to haue been a Seruant , as a Soueraigne , a Man , as a Maister : euen this was one , and all that parted the Potentates power , and the Seruingmans profession , the one did commaunde , the other was to obey : the due obedience to which commaunde was had in so reuerent regarde , and the Seruant so fearefull to offende his Maister , no seruile , but as it were a filiall feare , as the Maister was almost as carefull in his commaunde , as the Seruant diligent in his duetie . For in these dayes what greater loue could almost be found , then betwixt the Maister and the Seruant ? it was in maner equall with the Husbandes to the Wyfe , and the Childes to the Parent : for testimonie whereof , there are infinite examples to be alleadged , as in the prescription of the triumuerie of Marcus Lepidus , Marcus Anthonius , and Octauius Cesar , in the Romane ciuile warres , where Naso , condemned by their prescription , was by one of his Seruants kept safe in an hill : the sayd Seruant going to the Sea side , to hyre his Maister a Boate for his more safe passage and speedy escape , and at his returne , perceauing his Maister by the strikers to be killed , he cryed aloude vnto him , ( hauing yet a lytle life ) Stay a whyle , O Maister ( quoth he ) and sodaynely stroke the Captayne and killed him , then comming agayne to his Maister , killed him selfe , saying : O Maister , you haue receaued comfort .

An other in the same tyme of persecution and tryall of frindes , hauing a fayre shadowed Uineyarde , and in it a goodly Caue , deepe and large ( for the which peraduenture he was condemned ) by chaunce refreshing him selfe in the sayd Caue , one of his Seruantes perceauing the quellers yet a farre off , which came to finysh his Maisters tragidie , for the pure loue , and sinceere affection that he bore to his Maister , hid him safely , as he thought , in the secret place of the Denne , and furnished him selfe with his Maisters apparrell , feigning to be hee , euen offeryng him selfe to the death for his Maisters safetie . O rare examples , worthy of euerlastyng memorie : What greater goodwil ? What purer loue , or more sinceere affection can be found amongst any consort of creatures then this ? O happie Seruantes that had your beeing in those goulden dayes , when Maisters would merite such maruels at your hands : and thrise happie Maisters , that past your pilgrimage in those blessed houres , when by your loue and liberalitie , you tyed your Seruantes with this vndessolueable bonde of assured friendshyp , euen to deserue and merite the full measure of your good will towardes them . Infinite are the examples ( as I sayd before ) that may be alledged in this matter , onely these two I holde sufficient to confirme this argument , since none but will confesse this loue and affection to be auncient , and of long continuance .

Yea , but will some say , these examples are olde , and long is it since this loue and affection was thus in the highest degree made manifest , and the tryall of friendshyp thus exercised : shew me some examples of late yeeres , for the more credite of your cause , or els some reasons why these examples should not be as plentifull in these latter dayes , as in former tyme .

To this Obiection , I answere thus : There be two especiall causes that hath vntwyned this knott , and euen cancelled this firme Obligaton , exchanging it for a single Bi●●l . The first is , the compounding of this pure and refined mettall ( whereof Seruingmen were first framed ) with vntryed dregges and drosse of lesse esteeme . The seconde , is the death and decay of Liberalitie or Rewarde for well doing . But I wyll omit to vnrippe the bowelles of these reasons , tyll tyme and place of fitter oportunitie be offered , since I haue not as yet finished the seconde part of this tractate , which is onely to declare the florishyng dayes of the prime of this profession .

I haue before declared how this seruice was in no sort seruile , nor the paynes belonging it any pennance , but they ioyed as much in their libertie , & florished as fresh in their profession as any other , of what sort , degree , or callyng soeuer : their fare was alwayes of the best , their apparrell fine , neate , handsome , and comly , their credite and esteeme alwayes equall with their birth and callyng , in good regarde : their exercises , or dayly labours , nothyng but pleasure , their head so smally troubled with carpe and care of worldly Coyne , and them selues so farre from miserie , pennurie , scarcitie , or beggerie , harboured in the hauen of happinesse , swimming in the calme , neyther too deepe nor too shallow , supported by these good patrons their Maisters , neither soaryng to high , nor dyuing too deepe , neither Prince nor begger , floryshing in this their estate , being ( as it were ) euen the meane or midwarde of all degrees and callinges , as I verily thinke they were the happiest consort of Companions , and the least troubled tradesmen , in the prime of their profession , that belonged this Mundaine market .

O what pleasure belonged Seruingmen in those dayes ? when the great Chamber was serued ? the Hauls cryer with a Hoe yes , summoned all good fellowes to appeare vpon an allarum ? at which battayle , the boordes end was euer battered with the gunshot of Good-stomackes , where the chine of Beefe , the hagstocke to these Carpenters , was hewen and squared into diuers parcels , for seuerall purposes : And the blacke Iacke , merily trowlyng from one to another , well lyned with the lyquor of lyfe , moystened and molified the malecontent humors of these merrie mates , to their Maisters credice , and their owne comfort .

But mee thinkes I heare the maligners of this mysterie or profession , lyke Momus mates murmure , saying to them selues , He telleth vs of their delicate diet , handsome habite , and pleasant passing the Sommer of their yeeres : But when this lustie 〈◊〉 begunne ( with the Moone ) to wane , and that crooked olde age had eclipsed the bright Sunshyne of their golden dayes , with duskie blacke Cloudes of darke morpheus ; I meane , when that stealing Time , had consumed the oyle of their Lampes , and euery ioynt begunne to grow starke , not able to supply his former place ; what course then they tooke , to maynteine them selues from miserie , in this their greatest necessitie , he doth omit , as a thing altogeather impertinent to this discourse : but in my iudgement , a thing most necessarie amongst them to be considered , and the very marke whereat they ought chieflyest to ayme : for els , who is so simple but will confesse , that the Seruingmans profession ( in regarde of their pleasure and ease ) is to be preferred before diuers sortes of people , of more wealth , and greater abilitie , yf their ende were not miserie , pennurie , scarcitie , and almost beggerie : For , I holde it an infallible rule , An olde Seruingman , a young Begger . What Gentleman now a dayes , that giueth wages and lyueries , doth not looke his Seruant shoulde deserue them ? and when the Seruant is olde and crooked , and altogeather vnable to helpe him selfe , how much more is he then vnable to deserue mayntenance at his Maisters handes ? To this Obiection , thus much : What sotte is so simple to aske a question , not knowing the cause ? or to make answere , being altogeather ignorant of the question ? My Discourse tendeth onely to set foorth the florishyng and golden dayes of Seruingmens fyrst ordeyning : and the Obiection commeth foorth , With what Gentleman now a dayes . &c.

But least he , or they shoulde thinke me striken mute with the first blow , not able to abyde a seconde charge , I wyll answere so much of the question as shall seeme any way appertayning to this place , and leaue the rest to a fitter opportunitie .

Seeing therefore I haue handled the Ver , aestas , and Autumnus , of this Seruingmans estate , I wyl not leaue him tyll his fourth part be fully finished , since the Obiection hath allowed , that these three partes of his lyfe was spent in pleasure and delyght , accordyng to my former saying : But you must note by the way , that I holde straight on the path wherein first I set foote , not medlyng with these latter or leaden dayes , tyll tyme minister occasion . Now for the fourth , which is the Hiems , and last part of mans yeeres , commonly called Crooked olde age ; as Dauid sayth , are to euery man nothing but meere miserie , in regarde of weakening his strength , and decaying of nature : which hoarie heares , if they bryng to euery man miserie in generall , it must then needes touch this degree in particuler . But this miserie common to all , and by the law of nature so forcible , as the wealthy Cressus , the wittie Salomon nor the subtyle Simon , can any way eschew , yf Atropos do not befriende them in cutting the threed of their lyfe before these dayes of decay approch , cannot I say be onely attributed to Seruingmen , and them by that meanes accompted most miserable . But to leaue this naturall miserie , and come to the miserie that by pennurie , scarcitie , and want of worldly wealth , is incident . Thus much I say for this profession : When that Boreas boysterous blastes had blowen the buddes and blossoms from their trees , and that Hiems hoarie frostes had euen nipped and wythered the fruites of their florishyng Sommer , this kinde care had euery Lord of his attendant , and euery Maister of his Seruant that by these , and such lyke meanes , they prouided for their Attendantes and Seruantes , to maynteyne them from want of worldly necessaries , euen vntyll the fall of their leafe was fully finished , and their vitall dayes ended . Some woulde giue their Seruantes an Annuitie or yeerely portion of Money , duering their naturall lyues , ouer and aboue their Wages , to the ende , that when their seruice coulde not merite mayntenance , in respect of their yeeres and vnwealdines , consideryng they had reaped the fyrst fruites of their Benefice , euen the Sommer of their yeeres , this their beneuolence should maynteyne these their Seruantes from worldly pennurie , to their last houre . Other some Maisters , in the same regarde , would procure for their Seruants such Martages , as they should thinke them selues sufficiently rewarded and satisfied for their whole seruice . Againe , some other would reward their Seruants with the Lease of a Farme , not as they are let now adayes , like a brydle for a brainesicke Iade , Durante bene placito , and rearing the rent , but Durante vita , and rent free : so that this angelicall Oyle , should so molifie his decaying members , and reuiue his dying spirit , as the thought of crooked olde Age should neither hinder his duetie in his seruice , nor with griefe shorten his dayes . By these , and such lyke meanes , were alwayes Seruingmen so prouided for in those dayes , that none , no not one ( that reserued that reuerent regard and duetie towardes his Maister that he ought ) but passed his youth and age , in as much pleasure , plentie , and worldly felicitie , to his hartes content , as any other , of what estate , degree , or calling soeuer . And thus much for the florishyng prime of this profession . Now foloweth the third , and last part of this tractate , wherein shal be declared ( God willing ) the ruin , downe-fall , and decay , of this m●●sterie or profession . Fyrst you haue heard the originall , and of what moulde or mettall this Seruingman was made . Secondly , in what pleasure , plentie , and delyght , in the fyrst age of their ordeyning , they past their tyme , euen A crepundus ad t●●minum vitae .