THe calamities and encombrances , the miseries and sorrowes , whiche proceede of the insolencie , into the which the people of this time is plonged in this age of Iron ( of Iron I maie saie , hardened to misfortune ) hath well witnessed vnto vs , how true is the auncient Prouerbe , whiche saith : That Iupiter is slowe to visite the skinne of the Gote : Yet that in fine , he permitteth not an euill facte vnpunished . Wee haue seen with our eyes , and felte by effecte in our Fraunce , at the risyng of these Iaste troubles , fallyng vpon vs like tempest of Haile vnlooked for . The whiche , as commyng out of the Boxe of Pandora , or out of the brosten infected prison , was so spred emong men , and hath made such ouerture of vice and mischeef , that all sortes of euill are sette at libertie . Mars the Executor of the wrathe of the goddes hath vomited his Eholour without measure , that the burnyng thereof hath chafed them , not onely to sociall warres , but to all Deuilishe attemptes , more then Megariqu , to Robberies and Murthers , and ( as saieth Cicero ) to Phalarismes and moste cruell inhumanities . Vulcan leauyng his proper Region , hath followed these miseries , and searched these habitations , to exercise these operations : In suche sorte that it is easie to Iudge , that these mishappes are fallen emong menne , to put them in memorie of their synnes , founde in the saied Goates skinne , of the whiche you haue paied your lotte : as I haue knowne by the complaintes , whiche you haue made for your greate losses of money , and menage spoiled and destroied by sackcage , and pillage also of your Nobles . In the whiche I lament your fortune , as a common Shipwracke : but pacience must surmount . And to help you , I haue none other meane then by aduise and counsaile : you knowe that all my life , I haue spent little tyme in hourdyng of richesse , and thynges caduke . And that rather I tooke pleasure to contente my Spirites , in readyng and searchyng of sutche thinges , as fewe men haue founde . Yet not to refuse the help of a freend in necessitie : and vnderstandyng that there yet remaineth vnto you , fiue or sixe hundred Frankes , whiche you haue hidden , forseyng so greate a mischance , it seemeth vnto me , to the ende that you in nothyng diminishe your state of liuyng , so to redresse the same , that you maie easely in shorte tyme , reenter into as greate and ample reuenewes , as you had before the saied troubles .

Your reuenewe doubtlesse , consisteth in Housbandrie of all sortes of cattell , as Beeues , Kine , Mares , Shepe , foule , and sutche other thinges as reioyseth them , whiche are giuen to the countrey life . I can be a witnesse how your table was euer readie for your familiar freendes : And your wife and daughter were of worshipfull estimation , and of carefull prouision for your familie , entertained by honeste sparyng and frugalitie , requisite in due tyme and season . At whiche time also you were well estemed , for your liberalitie toward your neighbours and freendes . But seeyng that Fortune hath courned her visage ( as she is accustomed to dooe , when the tyme agreeth with her ) you must needes retire , and not suffer her to remaine with you in like regarde as before . And therefore you must forget those losses , and thinke of a gaine to come : to the whiche you shall attaine easely , with this little somme remainyng , if you will emploie it , as I will aduertise you . And this without spott of villanie , or filthie and excessiue gaines . Furthermore , your Housebandrie shall florishe , and your name shal bee more knowne in Fraunce , then was emong the Greekes , the name of hym that burnte the Temple of Diana in Ephesus .

And to make no longer discourse : aduise your self to bestowe your somme of money in buiyng of Hennes : not Meleagrides , the whiche Bellonius in his Peregrination affirmeth , to be our Hennes of the Indies ( beyng the true Graniers of Otes ) but common Hennes of our Countrie : and Housebande or employe them in suche sort , as I will shewe hereafter . And be not impacient to attende the conclusion .

Firste of all , it is necessarie to haue them , neare vnto the Citée of Paris , famous and of greate renoume throughout all the worlde , to bee the marte and seate of all good Artes , and Sciences , and populous of all sortes of men , if there be any other vnder the Sunne . There consider the situation of some commodious place well builded , hauyng good roomes and Stabies , with a Court or yarde inclosed of twoo Acres of grounde , more or lesse , and walled of sufficiente height . With also twoo other Acres inclosed , for an other purpose , whereof we will speake hereafter . Of these are enow to be founde , in the old rurall buildynges about the Citie of Paris . So then can you not saie , that you are straightly lodged . For Quintus Cincinnatus Citezine of Rome ( so named for wearyng his heire combed and breaded ) possessed no more when he was called to the dignitie of Dictator , as writeth Valerius Maximus in his fowerth booke .

The aforesaid Mannour place or Ferme , with Yard or Courte inclosed , you shall take by Lease for certaine yeres , paiyng yerely rent for the dwelling of you and your familie . You shall dispose your Stables commodiouslie , for your Hennes and Chickins , with the vewe or prospecte toward the Winter Driente , that the Sunne maie giue the good morrowe to your Hennes , whiche greatly delite at the Mornyng Sunne , as noteth Columella in his nineth booke of Housebandrie : also Varro in his third booke .

The Henne houses , shal be commodious and profitable , if thei bee alone or solitarie , and the Plankes well couered with claye , because the Hennes delite to pruine and toumble them selues in duste , and to bee kept warme . And therefore bodrdes or plaister , are not conuenient to this purpose .

The Lathers , or Perches must be from the ground two foote high . Also flat , and not round , because the Hennes doe not bende , or crooke their clawes or Talantes , as doe other graspelyng foules .

The said Henne houses also , in the daie tyme must be open , that thei maie bee euented with winde and Aire . And that the night aire maie more easely transpire and breath out , that it maie cause no disease by close ayre , whiche in shorte time causeth putrefaction , and diseases thereof procedyng .

Vnder the Henne houses , and all about the stables shall he hanged many Panyers of conuement bignesse , stuft with Haye , to receiue the Hennes when thei laye . For Haye in this case , is mutche better then Strawe , because it is softer and warmer , and is not so apt to engender Lice or Woormes . I doe not meane that it should be so deare as was that whiche was sold for fower Attiques the handfull , for men to eate , at the tyme of the greate Famine in Ierusalem , as writeth Iosephus in his seuenth booke of the warre of the Iewes , the fower Attiques amountyng to xiiij . Frenche Souses , after three Souses and sixe Frenche pence for a Souse , as muche as the Romaine penie , as writeth learned Budaeus in his booke De Asse .

When you haue thus disposed your Henne houses , and made them sure and saffe againste all hurtfull beastes and vermine , that maie enter by Daie or Night , and haue well placed the Panyars , to receiue and harbour theim , you shall bestowe the somme of three hundreth Frankes , in buiyng of good Hennes , whiche maie coste you after the rate of fiue Souses ( whiche is sixe pence and twoo thirdes ) the peece , by reason of the dearth whiche is now , xxv . Franks iv . s. vj. d. & ij . thirdes of j. d. by occasion of warres . Whiche shal be twelue hundreth Hennes , after fiue and twentic Frankes the hundred .

The Countries of Angeou , Touraine , and Lodunoys , haue been the countries with Britaigne , lesse troubled with the said Ciuill warres : and therefore Hennes are there better cheape : Also verie good , strong , well membred , and of the beste race to make your emploite .

You shall choose the yongest , whiche are apter to laye then the old : And the cammō , more then thei of kinde : or the Blacke , Redde , and Taunie , whiche are more fruitfull then the Graie or White , as Aristotle affirmeth in his Historie of beastes in the first booke , the firste Chapiter . And also thei whiche haue their creaste or combe double and vpright , as witnesseth Plinie in his naturall Historie . Also Palladius and Petrus Crescencis in his booke of Housebandrie . Likewise Carolus Stephanus a man of our tyme , and a diligent gatherer of thynges Economike , parteinyng to Housholde and Housebandrie .

Thei of a meane bignesse , are the beste , hauyng their breast large , their bodie well fleshed , not with long spurres like vnto Cockes , for thei commonly breake their Egges . Take heede also that thei be not to fatte . Witnesse the good wife , whiche beyng in loue with her Henne , fed her so well , and made her so fat , that she left laiyng , as rehearseth Esope in his Fables .

You ought to thinke , that the good woman loued her Henne no lesse , then the Emperour Honorius , Soonne of Theodosius loued his , named Rome . Who vnderstandyng that Alaricus kyng of the Gothes had taken Rome ( whiche was the auncient Citie of Rome ) was verie sad , supposyng that Alaricus had taken his Henne , whiche he so mutche loued , as Zonar the Greeke Historiographer hath written , in the life of Honorius . I saie the aunciente Rome , because the Emperours of the East partes , called Constantinople , newe Roome .

In like maner you shall buye Cockes , to sort or matche them : sixe score Cockes shall suffice for the twelue hundreth Hennes . v. li. vi . s. viij . d. For one Cocke , maie suffice for ten Hennes . Thei maie coste you tenne Souses the peece , ouer and aboue the price of the Hennes : whiche amounteth to xlviij . Frankes . Thei of the age from a yere and a halfe , vnto twoo yeres , are the beste .

To knowe them well , you shall consider the Plumage , or Feathers . The Blacke , Red , and Taunie , are the beste . Also thei that haue their Combe or Creaste vpright , and double , or diuided . Their eyes redde and glisteryng : Their becke , shorte and hooked : well spurred : their goyng , hautie and proude : Their voice strong and soundyng : and sutche as crowe mutche , representyng sutche a Maiestie , as did the Cocke of the Persians , whiche emong them was reuerenced , and honoured for a kyng , as reciteth Aristophanes . At the least , that thei shewe a certaine hardinesse , as thei which the Carians , people of the lesse Asia , bore vppon their Morion or Helmet , goyng to battaill : as Alexander de Alexandro hath written in the xx . Chapiter of his first booke .

And if you will take pleasure in Diuination of thynges to come by Cockes , Alectoromantia , ( whiche Diuination is named Alectoromantia ) as did Iamblicus maister of Proclus , as Libanius his companion , great and learned Philosophers , in the tyme of the Emperour Valens , you maie make experimente of sutche predictions , and therewith dooe pleasure to your freendes .

And to the ende that you shall not bee ignoraunte in the Theorike , or Speculation of the saied Diuination , I will shewe you a certaine practise and Prognostication thereof . Certaine greate lordes were curious to knowe , who should bee successour to the Empire , after Valens , fauourer of the damnable sect of the Arrians : praiyng the said Philosophers to giue aunswere , accordyng to their Arte and experience , whiche thei had of sutche thinges . Who were verie diligent to sa●i●fie their request , as commonly men of letters are not ingrate to communicate to others , the fruites of their garden .

Therefore Iamblicus , and Libanius , chose a place verie plaine and equall , of conueniente largenesse : and caused fine pouder , or ashes to bee sifted therein . In the whiche pouder , thei wrote the xxiiij . letters of the Alphabet equally distante the one from the other , one little cubite a so●der , whiche is a foote and a halfe .

The xxiiij . Letters so written and ordered , made a Figure pentagon , or of fiue angles , hauyng fiue equall distances : Vpon euery of the whiche letters , thei laied tenne graines , one of Wheate , and an other of Barley .

The Figure beyng set in order , thei tooke a Cocke , and saied to hym these woordes : Cocke enuious , Cocke ielous , Cocke proude : Eate the graine , and leaue the letter . Then makyng a greate whisperyng , in maner of a Charme , thei lett the Cocke so Charmed , eate certaine of the graines liyng vpon the letters . The which letters then ioyned together , and sette in order , accordyng to the graines whiche laye on them , these letters were founde . T , H , E , O , D. Theod. And were thereby contented to searche no further .

And by this Diuination by the Cocke , the saied Philosophers gaue aunswere , that the successour of the Empire , should be one Theodosius , or Theodorus , or Theodotus , wher of Valens beyng aduertised , was greatly displeased , fearyng least his children should bee depriued of the Empire . And therefore putte to death all the greate Lordes , whiche were so named . Iamblicus had euill fortune , and shortly after was poisoned . Vopiscus , Lampridius , and Zonare , whiche haue written the liues of the Emperours of the East and West , will make you wise in this Prognostication .

Not without reason I haue rehearsed vnto you this little Cubite . For if your figure Pentagon , were directed by the greate Cubite ( whiche is of nine foote , accordyng to the whiche , the Arke of Noe was measured , as some Speculatours haue affirmed ) you might faile in your Diuination , and shall not come to the knowledge of that your desire .

Neuerthelesse , for asmuche as sutche Diuinations , bee deceiptes , and enchauntmentes of the eyes and senses , hauyng in them no substaunce of truthe , but rather of lyes , you shall giue no faithe thereto . For falshoode is euer ouercome by truthe : as by example allegorike , Iosephus in his Historie of the Antiquitie of the Iewes , in the second booke and fifte Chapiter declareth : As also is written in Exodus , Chapiter seuen . Where the rodde of Moises , was by the finger of God tourned into a very Serpent , and deuoured the phantastike Serpentes of the Magicians of Pharaa . And the Aucthours of the saied Magique , finally receiued their rewarde as did Iamblicus : and as did Arphaxat the Magician of Persia , who was striken with a Thunderbolte : As was also the Bailife of Mascon , whom the Deuill carried awaie , as our Chronicles witnesseth . And also as wer Mathetin and Hollere , Magicians of the Gothes , whiche were ouerwhelmed , as writeth Olaus Magnus in his Historie of the North Regions , in the third booke . Likewise Oddo a Magician of Demnarke , who was drouned . And infinite others came to the like euill ende .

But now to retourne to our Hennes : To entreate them and gouerne them well , you must haue fower seruauntes or maides , with large eares , well to conceiue , and vnderstande your commaundementes : and the feete of Hartes , with diligente expedition to execute the same : and a trustie right hande to be faithfull , loiall , obedient , and of fewe wordes . For ( as saieth the Terentian Parmenio ) it is a greate faulte in seruauntes to bee babbelers , and not to keepe their Maisters counsaill .

Their office shal be to bryng the Hennes into their houses euery daie , at fiue of the clocke in the Euenyng in Sommer : and at three of the clocke in Winter . Also that thei bee diligent to close the entries , and windowes of the Hen houses , that in the night the Foxe ( naturall enemie to Hennes ) Weaselles , or Polecattes , maie haue no accesse . And in the mornyng , to open the entries and windowes , that thei may come forthe . And then to make cleane the Pearches and lathers . Also to refreashe their Pottes and Troughes with cleane water . For filthie and corrupt water , engendreth the pippe , and other sicknesses .

In the daie also , the saied seruauntes must be myndfull to visite the Panyers , if thei be furnishe with Haye , and to refreshe them if neede bee . The whiche must be doen euery weeke , for engenderyng of Lise , Wormes , and Vermine , whiche make the Hennes leane , and cause them to scratche .

In like maner thei must hee diligente , in gatheryng the Egges . And by accompt to deliuer them to a woman , whiche shall lay them in order vpon faire wheate strawe , in a place of large and free ayre , to be kept freashe and cold . The same seruantes , after that in the Mornyng , thei haue giuen them their feedyng of Barly and Otes , and sometymes also Fetches , or Tares , shall caste emong them some drie Horse-dounge , to the ende that the Hennes maie labour the more , to searche their meate with scrapyng . For sutche exercise , is wholsome for them . Then aboute Noone , thei shall feede them againe , callyng them with loude voice , that thei maie be acquainted with the call of their keepers , whom thei will sone knowe , as did the Sparrowe of Lesbia Catullma : The Parrat of Corinna Ouidiana : The Thrustle of Agrippina the wife of the Emperoure Claudius : The Rauen of the Shoomaker of Romme , whiche gaue the good morowe to the Emperours Liberius , Germanicus , and Drusus . And was bought for twentie Sesterns , amounting to the somme of fiue hundred crounes of our money , by the supputation of Budaeus , after the rate of fiue and twentie Crounes one Sesterne . And in like maner shall thei dooe a little before thei bryng them to rouste .

If your yarde containe twoo Acres inclosed , you maye thereof Plowe halfe an Acre in some corner , where the Hennes maie sometymes in the daie scrape the ground , and tomble them selues in the duste or sande , wherein thei take great pleasure . You shall Plowe or hardell the saied lande , once in the Moneth , that it become not too harde , that the Hennes maie easily raise it , without hurtyng their clawes .

You maie also caste certaine seedes vppon the Plowed ground , and couer it with the hardell , that the Hennes maie take bothe more pleasure and labour , in discoueryng it . For the Hennes through idelnesse , become grosse and heauie , and will cease from laiyng .

When your Housbandrie shal be thus well ordered , you must practise in the Citie of Paris , with ten or twelue Phisitions , dwellyng in sondrie places of the saied Citie . Not of the beardlesse and delicate Apollinaries , whiche care for nothyng but glorie , and ciuill flatterie , to gett riche wiues . But of the bearded Aesculapians , suche as was the famous Florentine , a man of singuler knowledge , and experience in his art , and famous for the wise counsaill whiche he gaue to his daughter , pursued by the vnchaste loue of Ladislaus kyng of Naples and Hungarie .

Sutche auncient Phisitions , will easily permitt the necessitie of Nature , and confirme the wholesome Edicte of the Emperour Claudius : who ( as witnesseth Suetonius ) permitted in banquettes and companies , freely and without shame , to let scape the winde of the beallie , knowyng that certaine shamefaste persones , subiecte to the Collicke , haue died for holdyng the saied ventositie : As also Cicero in the xxij . booke of his Epistles , saith that fartyng ought to be as free as belchyng , after the opinion of the Stoikes .

You shall giue theim to vnderstande , that you can daiely furnishe their Pacientes with newe laied Egges , euery mornyng without faile . You shall also aduertise theim , of theim that haue the sellyng , and distribution of them .

You shall also take heede , that you haue not to deale with suche Phisitions , whiche haue nought els to doe theim to walke their Mules , as thei were whiche were obserued by Maister Francis Rables Pentagruell , to departe out of their lodgyng at sixe of the clocke in the mornyng , and to returne at Noone without strikyng of stroke . For suche are the verie pacientes of impaciētes , by the vnderstandyng of Epoptiques and Acromatiques of Aristotle and Alexander his Disciple , whiche thei thought onely worthie to bee read , as writeth Quintus Curtius .

In like maner you must bee acquainted with xv . or xx . Gainsellers , or Regraters , suche as can chatte and babble beste , and walke aboute all the streates , and the fower corners of the Citée , and the moste famous places of the same : as the Burse , the Pallaice , the greate Haules , the Portes , and other places of greate resorte : Assuryng theim to furnishe them daiely of a number of newe laied Egges , which thei shall sell and distribute to your profite , agreeyng with theim for reasonable price and wages , as shal be saied hereafter .

Hauyng kepe this order , you shall bee carefull and diligent , to cause your Egges daiely to bee caried to the Gainsesters , or women that shall sell them againe in the morning of the daie followyng . You maie carie them best vpon Asses . For whiche purpose , that Beaste is very proper , because of his slowe goyng , that he breake not the Egges . But take heede that thei eate no Figges , leaste you bruste for laughyng , as did the Philosopher Chrysippus , as writeth Diogenes Laertius , in his booke of the liues of Philosophers . The like also chaunced to Philomenes , as writeth Valerius Maximus , in his Chapiter of rare kyndes of Death .

Now it resteth to make you vnderstande the profite , that shall come vnto you daiely of your summe : all charges and expenses deducted : the rent of your house paied , the wages of your seruauntes , the Gainsellers contented , the charges of the Asse , his keeper compted , and also the graine or corne wherewith your Hennes are fedde . For of the sale of Egges , is taken no custome , or imposition , as was in the tyme of Ihon Ducas Emperour of Constantinople , and successour of Theodosius Lascaris , who was so excessiue , that in a few daies , the Croune of Irene the Empresse , was thereby marueilously enriched in precious stones and iewelles , as Nephorius hath left in writing , in the third booke of the Historie Bizantine , in the chapiter , of the famine of the Turkes .

You shall sell , or cause to be solde , euery new laied egge easely for sixe Frenche pence the peece . For I assure you , that within the Citee of Paris , are a thousande , yea rather twoo thousande , that will gladly giue a Carolus ( whiche is nyne Frenche pence ) for euery newe laied Egge , beyng thereof assured : wherein see you faile not .

Howe many Gentlemen and Gentlewomen are there , whiche greatly desire in the Mornyng , to eate a newe laied Egge ? How many are there of Citezins , and their wiues , touched with the like desire : How many olde folkes wearie of Fleshe , could for their Dinner bee contente , with a newe laied Egge or twoo ? For you must knowe that an Egge , is naturally of good nourishemente , wholsome , delicate , of easie digestion , and maketh good bloud , as writeth Alexander Aphrodiseus in his seconde booke , and xxviij . question of his Problemes . Likewise Albertus Magnus writeth , that an Egge engendereth in a man , as muche good blood , as is the bignesse of the yolke , whiche tourneth almoste all into bloud .

I haue yet made no memorie of sicke folkes , whiche of necessitie haue nede of new laied Egges , by the ordinaunce of the Phisitions , whose freendship you shall entertaine for the same purpose . The number of the whiche sicke folkes , I am sure in the saied Citee , will daiely surmounte a thousande persones without speakyng of them that keepe a certain diet , as well to encrease the lustes of their pleasures in Venerie , as also to restore that which somtyme by excessiue wantonnesse , thei haue diminished of their strengthe and health . For these also shall haue neede of your marchandize .

You maie therefore by this deduction , be assured of the vent and sale , and deliueraunce of your Egges daie by daie as muche as your Hennes shall doe their endeuour , orderly to furnishe your Customers .

Now lette vs retourne to our accompt . You can gather no lesse euery daie of your xij . hundreth Hennes , then eight hundreth Egges : whiche are twoo terces or thirde partes of the number : Leauyng the other terce or thirde parte of your Hennes , in the meane tyme to reste and repose theim selues . For the season is not euery daie agreable for all Hennes to laye : Specially in the middest of Winter , and other tymes neare vnto that . But you shall then helpe them in giuyng them Fenegreke , commonly called the dredge of Horses . And also Barly halfe sodde . For these thinges keepe them in naturall heate , and cause them to laye . L. Souses v. s. vi . d. and ii . third partes of a peny xliiij . s. v. d. ij . thirdes .

Eight hundreth Egges , by supputation Arithemeticall , at sixe Frenche pence the peece , will yeld . L. Souses for the hundreth . Which in number producte , maketh xx . Frankes or Frenche poundes a daie . Whiche is , for the saied eight hundreth , seuen score Frankes the weeke , and seuen thousande three hundreth Frankes the yeare , of honest profite .

Let vs diuise the charges . And that whiche then remaineth , wee will call the gaines and profite . For the Lawiers saie , that wee call nothyng profite , sauyug what remaineth after the charges deducted : as the famous Lawier acon hath well defined in the xxiiij . booke of the Pandectes , vnder the title of repetition of dowrie after the mariage dissolued .

Firste for the pension of the woorke man , ij . s. ii . d. and ii . thirdes . and his House for euery daie twentie Souse : whiche by the yere commeth to three hundreth , three score and fiue Frankes . I here vnderstande yeres of the Sunne consisting of three hundreth , three score and fiue daies .

For fower Seruauntes or maides , twentie Souses the daie , which is for eche of them for wages , meate and drinke , fiue Souses to finde them selues : xl . li. xi . s. i. d. & i. third amountyng in the yere to the like summe of three hundreth three score and fiue Frankes . You knowe how greately sobrietie is to bee commended in seruauntes , both men and women : which kicke when thei bee fatte ( as doe Monkes in the mewe ) and murmure when thei be full . Emong the whiche , wee meane not suche as with pure conscience , exercise them selues in their vowe of contemplation of Diuine thynges , in whose soules , contemplation taketh perfection , as saieth the Diuines . For in all sortes of men , the beste ought to bee respected , and the worst noted . Neither yet doe I meane , that you should bee sparyng for the meate of your seruauntes , as was the Abbot of Poson in Hungarie , who was wont to saie that of all the workes of his seruauntes , the mouyng of their Iawes greeued him moste : he was so filthis coueteous , that he disdained to see his seruauntes eate , as writeth Aeneas Syluius in the xlij . Chapiter of his Historie of Boheme .

For the charges of the twoo Asses ( although Thistles growe euery where aboundantly ) we will allowe fiue Souses a daie : amountyng to fower score and tweltie Frankes , vi . d. and ij . thirdes . x. li. v. s. and fiue Souses in the yere . And for the Asse keper ( whom you maie also applie too other seruice , after that hee hath brought his Egges to the place appointed ( who can haue no lesse then one maide to accompanie hym , whose allowance beyng after the rate of fiue Souses the daie , commeth to fower score and twelue Franks , and fiue Souses the yere . Whom you shall aduertise , that he ouercharge not his Asses least thei murmure as doe the Monkes vnreformed .

The Emperour Augustus Caesar after the victorie Actium against Antonius , iniured by the loue of Cleopatrae Queene of Egipte , goyng to see the shippes captiue , found sodainly an Asse-keper , and asked him what was his name : Who aunswered that his name was Fortunatus : and the names of his Asses , Victorious . Thereby gratulatyng the victorie of the Emperor . You maie feele the profite of your Asses with like congratulation , and hope of good Fortune and victorie , against them that woulde haue throwen you into miserable pouertie : if you followe your businesse with requisite diligence as did the saied Emperour Augustus his warres : Auoidyng suche delices and pleasures , as Antonius vsed with Cleopatra .

For meate or feedyng for the Hennes , shall suffice for the daie twoo quarters of Paris measure , as well in Barly as in Otes , Fitches , or Tares : and in Winter , Septier is the Quarter of Paris v. s. vi . d. and ij . thirdes . bearde or horned Wheate , ( whiche in Champaigne is called Sarasine Wheate ) after xxv . Souses the Septier or quarter , whiche by the daie amounteth to L. Souses : and in the yere seuen hundreth , fower score and seuen Frankes , and tenne Souses , whiche is fower score and vij . li. x. s.

As touchyng the Phisitians , some of theim selues shall haue neede of your marchandise : as thei that haue a Famely , and many little children : whom you must visite weekely with certaine quarterons of newe laied Egges , brought on Thursdaie for Fridaie and Saterdaie . At Easter also with certaine Red Egges to present to their neighbours , as the reuenue of their practike . But suche as haue no familie , and seke for wife and house , followyng the precepte of Xenophon in his Oeconomiques , you maie to ( gratifie them ) shewe them the increase of your Housebandry , and recite vnto them the pleasure whiche you receiue therein , to hasten them to caste theim selues into the nette of happie Mishap , and yet in the meane tyme honour them with some pretie Presentes .

And if you haue the meanes to recouer Pullettes , or Chickens of the race of the Henne , which engendereth them perfectly formed , scrapyng and pepyng , and followyng the Henne , as sone as thei bee out of the Egge ( as rehearseth Apuleius in his booke of the golden Asse ) you maie thereby giue argument of high Philosophie of noueltees , vpon the doubte whiche thei make , if the round Egges bryng forthe Cockes , and the long Egges Hennes . Wherein Albertus Magnus the Ape of Aristotle , doeth contrary his Maister , in the sixth booke of Beastes .

But in the resolution of this question , you shall finde them no lesse troubled , A pretie question . then in this : whiche is , why there are moe Sheepe then Wolues : Seyng that one Sheepe commonly engendereth not but one , or seldome tymes two , whereas the Wolfe bryngeth forthe eight or nyne . Againe , in consideration that for one Wolfe that is killed , a thousande or twoo thousande Sheepe goe to the slaughter . For the reason whiche Herodotus bryngeth in his thirde booke of his Muse of Thalia , ( where he saieth , that Nature hath made fierce and cruell Beastes more fruitfull , speakyng of the multitude of Serpentes and Vipers , whiche in Arabia keepe the Trees of Frankensence ( can not bee applied to Wolues , whiche are fierce and rauenyng . But to retourne to our charges .

For the entertainemente of the saied Phisitians , I giue you estate of twoo hundred and three score Frankes by the yere . xxviij . li. xvii . s. ix d. one thirde . So shall your Phisitians haue no occasion to complaine , that thei haue the pension of Pulters . Of other fidelitie neuerthelesse , that he that is founde culpable of false reporte , shall abide the Iudgement of the Senatour Papirius , at the siege of Aquilon , a Toune of the Samnites , of the whiche Valerius Maximus maketh mention in his seuenth booke .

To the Gainsellers , vi . d. and ij . thirdes . xv . s. vi . d. ij . thirdes . xl . li. xi . s. i. d. and i. thirde . you shall giue fiue Souses for a hundred . Giuing them charge , that thei sell not in your name , any Egges but yours . Whiche in summe , shal be by the weeke seuen Frankes : and by the yere , three hundred , three score and fiue Frankes . In the whiche you shall doe nothyng contrarie to the opinion of Socrates , who blamed theim that bought Marchaundize by grosse , to sell theim againe to others by retaile , as hurtfull to the common wealthe .

Then the supputation or compte beyng made vppon xx . Frankes of the sale of your Egges by the daie , x. li. iiij . s. v. d. one thirde . viij . hundred vi . li. ij . s. ij . d. ij . thirdes . three hundred li. vij . s. ij . d. ij . thirdes . amountyng to seuen thousande and three hundred Frankes by the yere , wee muste rebate the summe of twoo thousande , seuen hundreth and three Frankes , and fiue Souses Tournois , ( of currante money ) for the expenses here before compted . So remaineth vnto you the profite by the yere , the summe of fower thousande , fiue hundreth , fower score and xvj . Frankes , and fiue Souses , whiche is fiue hundreth and xj . li. xiij . s. x. d. and ij . thirdes .

And when your laiyng Hennes shal be no more then sixe C. a daie , leauyng the other sixe C. in rest to abide their season , yet shall remaine vnto you xv . Frankes by the daie : and by the yere , iii. M. iiii . C. xlvii . Frankes , three Souses , xxxiij . s. iiii . d. and ix . pence , all charges deducted , whiche amounteth to three hundreth fower score and three li. v. d.

Which seemeth to me an honest gaine and profite , vpon the emploiyng of so little a summe , and that , without all filthie Vsurie : By the meanes also whereof , your maie feaste your freendes , and leade a ioyfull life : I saie not prodigall , as of Asope the Tragike , with his platter of small birdes , whereof Plinie maketh mention in the tenth booke of his Naturall Historie . Neither so daintie or gluttonous as of Apitius , that was in the tyme of the Emperour Tiberius . Neither yet so sumptuous and magnificent , as that of Lucullus noted of Plutarche ( in his booke of the liues of famous men ) for the banket whiche he made vpon the sodain , for Pompeius and Cicero : the expense whereof was no lesse then twelue hundred and fiftie Crounes , commyng to fiftie Sesternes Romaine . Or that of Pomponius Atticus . Again on the other parte , I meane not that your liuyng shal bee so streight , in frugalitie or sparyng , as was that of Curius Dentatus , who liued with Radishe rootes . Or of Pertinax , who would bee serued tenne tymes with one Salet . Neither so vile or sparyng , as was Epaminondas a greate Lorde of Thebes , who kept his chamber while his apparell was amendyng , because he would haue no chaunge .

But temperate and modeste , as that of the Kynges of Egipte , who before thei fell too their meate , disputed of modestie and sobrietie , takyng pleasure in bankettes , more ioyfull , then sumptuous or exquisite . And so shall you not fall into the penaltie of the Lawe Numerall of Iulius , who prefined a Taxe to bee paied of the charges , made in greate feastes and bankettes .

And for as muche as it maie seme a thyng vndecente , that a man should make profession of an Arte , or trafique of Marchandize , whereof he hath no knowledge , beyng ignorant of the natures and temperatures of the thinges , which he hath in hande : I will not faile to aduertise you of the diseases , whiche come to Hennes and Cockes , and of their remedies , and when it shal bee needefull to chaunge them , and put others in their places , to the ende that your number doe not diminishe : as you knowe that by surrogation , the kindes of all thynges are preserued in their beyng , and so remaine perpetually , as diuine Diotimus taught Socrates in the second booke of the feast of Plato .

Their common disease is the pippe , whiche is a disease of the tongue , the ende whereof is thereby hardened , in maner of a gristle . And thereby also the Henne loseth her tast , bothe in eatyng and drinkyng : and infecteth also the other Hennes , specially within the house , and the place of their feedyng .

This disease proceedeth , either of beeyng long without drinckyng of cleane and freashe water , or by drinckyng of foule and stinckyng water . And to heale it , you muste take the Henne , and take awaie the superfluitie , whiche groweth on the tong hardened at the ende . And then washe the tong and beake with oyle , in the whiche shal be tempered a hedde of Garlike . And put emong their meate Staphesacre : and to rubbe the tong well with Spettle or Vineger , first tempered in the mouthe of the seruaunt .

An other disease , is the Catare or Rheume , whiche is a fluxion of cold humours in the hed of the Heaues , making them to hang their winges , and their Creastes or combes . The remedie is , to trauerse or ouerthwart their nosethrells with a Feather putte through them , to open the Fluxion or Rheume that is stopped , and maketh them blinde . It shall also be good to warme their drinke in Winter : because such diseases proceede of cold , or drinkyng of Frosen water , or liyng vnder the Moone , the mother of all moistuesse .