A Looking-glass for a covetous Mister:  
OR, Comfort to a Contented mind.  
Being a serious discourse between a Rich Miser in the West Country, and a poor Husbandman, as they accidentally, met upon the way: Their dispute being so tedious, and of so great concernment, A neighbour of theirs hearing them, took pains to write down the subject of their discourse, after he had heard what had befallen to the Richman; He sent a Letter to a friend of his in London, and desired that he would get it Printed for an example to all unthankful men.  
to the tune of, the Fair Angel of England; or, the Tyrant  
 

COme listen kind neighbours with heart and good will,  
I promise you truly I think no man ill,  
He only inform you whey news I do hear,  
By Letteres at London out of Devonshire.  
There was a rich miser that hoarded up grain.  
Like wise a poor Husbandman honest and plain  
The miser with sorrow ddid look pail and wan,  
And thus to disputing this Couple began.   The Miser. 

Well met honess neighbour the Miser did say,  
What is the best News at the Market to day;  
How did they sell Barley, their Wheat, & their Rye?  
Declare the truth to me without any lie:  
For I was sore troubled last night in my sleep,  
With dreaming of matters which made me to weep,  
I thought my whole Barn full of Barley and Wheat  
The Rats, Mice, and Vermin, did seem for to eat.   Husbandman. 

Séed Wheat gave three shillings a strike I protest,  
But this I'll assure you it was of the best;  
The best Rye i'th' market gave not half a crown,  
Which made some rich Misers to fret and to frown,  
For five groats and two pence good Barley was sold;  
To speak the plain truth out a man may be bold,  
Therefore be contented good neighbour with me,  
Praise God and be thankful such plenty so see.   Miser. 

It grives me to thing what a Trade we shall drive.  
Our Lands and our live will not make us thrive,  
The reason of this now I will tell you plan  
Because of the cheapness of all kind of Grain.  
Ere I will sell Barley two thillings a strike,  
I now am resolved to throw plough i'th' dike;  
If Grain hold so cheap as plainly appears,  
I shall be undone within two or three years.   Husbandman 

Thou Covetous wiser didst thou ever hear,  
A Farmer undone in a plentiful year,  
You know how I lived and paid a great Rent,  
Sold Barley for fifteen and yet was consent,  
In plentful ●easons God's mercy is shown,  
He sends the poor Ploughman two Bushels for one,  
And great store of  with fodder and stuff  
He that is contented hath treasure enough.   M●ser. 

If troubles me sadly this Tale should be told,  
I've Corn lying by me that's full three years old.  
They once bade six shillings a strike for't I think,  
But now I'm persuaded that Barley doth stink  
Yet wée●l thrash no more than our family spends,  
I hope that next year it will make us amends  
If Grain holds so Cheap as it plainly appears,  
I'll sell no more Corn yet this two or three eears.   Huband-man. 

The Richman i'th' Gospel spoke, like a child.  
He'd pull down his Barns that he larger might build  
Whereby he might solace himself with delight.  
Though his Soul was required of him that same night  
But I am contented I promise you true,  
When corn will but last until God s●edeth new;  
Though misers do murmur their grain they can't raise  
Let poor men be thankful and give God the praise.   miser. 

Example by Joseph in Egyp●, wh have  
That in time of plenty men may their Corn save.  
For fear least a Famine should be in the Land,  
That we may have storehouses then at command  
To furnish such people as then comes to buy,  
You know that wise mon such things will deny,  
If corn hold so cheap as it plainly appears,  
I shall be undone within two or three years,   Husbandman 

You know that wise Solomon this doth rehearse,  
that man that kéeps back his corn, people will curse,  
But he that with cheerfulness selleth his grain  
A blessing upon him will surely remain:  
But some men to covetousness are inclined.  
O'er they●d bate a farthing they●d see poor men pined,  
though misers do murmur their grain they can't raise,  
Let poor men be thankful and give God the praise.   

But mark what befell to this covetous Moam,  
His house it was rob before he got home,  
His chests were broke open, his servants were bound  
He lost in one hour two hundred pound,  
This sure was a Judgement his neighbours did guss  
Because he these words did so often express  
If Grain hold so cheap as it plainly aprears  
He should be undone within two or three years.   

Concluding my story mark well what I say,  
The poor of this Nation are bound for to pray.  
That God would be pleased to help them at need.  
That they may have bread their poor Children to feed  
For Charity's cold enough as 'tis well known.  
Good house keeping like wise is now baad grown,  
Take this admonition from me as a friend,  
Praise God and be thankful that plenty doth send.   
T. J.  
FINIS.   

London, Printed, for W. Thackeray, T. Passenger and W. Whitwood.