A06898:169
The jewel of joyThe iewel of ioye
London : J. Daye and W. Seres are to be sold in the shop at the little conduit in cheapside, 1550?London : J. Daye and W. Seres are to be solde in the shop at the litle conduit in chepeside, 1550?
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Chri. I can none otherwise do but marvel at the madness of some men, which rather chose 1idly to spend their time in great mens houses with this hope to have some what at the last to live with all (which many times chanceth never) then in their youth to learn some honest occupation, which may• defend them at all times from the bitter storms of needy and cruel fortune. Of all creatures are they slaves most miserable, and for ⟨image 71⟩the most part come to the most wretched end. A young courtea• an old beggar. Ah how many have I known, which after twenty or-thirty years service have ben with great displeasure driven away, and so dyed most wretchedly? And thus is that common saying found true. Service is no heritage. Serving men may well be compared to Aesop's toothless greyhound, which so long as he could hunt well, follow & get his pray, was much made of, but when he began to wax old and could catch no more, he was no more loved of his master, but rather hated, despised & beaten. Nothing now adays is dear, where profit is absent. If these things were well pondered, men would not so headlong and without consideration run unto service, there ⟨image 72⟩to spend the flour of their youth & when crocked old age cometh either to go a begging, or else to be put in some alms house. But how so ever the matter goeth, of this am I sure, that no man ought to rejoice neither in men, nor yet in mens services, seeing that nothing is more uncertain then their favour, seeing also that cruel fortune doeth oppress so suddenly noble men many times, that they being turned to a base state, have neither to succour them selves, nor yet to help their pore servants.
Chri. I can none otherwyse do but marueyle at the madnes of some men, whiche rather chose 1idlely to spēd their tyme in great mennes houses wyth thys hope to haue some what at the laste to lyue wyth al (which many tymes chaunceth neuer) then in their youth to learne some honeste occupation, whiche may• defende them at all tymes from the bitter stormes of needy and cruell fortune. Of all creatures are they slaues moste miserable, and for