The First Part.
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GIve ear and attention, and you shall hear
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Of a strange Wonder that hapned in Wiltshire,
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The marveloust thing that ere was in Print,
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Faithfully written and nothing false in't.
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It is of a man in his Country so rare,
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That none now are living with him could compare,
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His dealing it is so upright and just,
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I will nere be forgot, though be turned to dust.
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Last year he was blest with a plentiful crop,
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His Barns were crammed from bottom to top,
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He made no advantage, all Grain being dear,
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But glad was to see the Poor people appear;
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To whom he sold cheap, but a Crown was his rate,
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When others for a Bushel of Eight did not bate,
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But worshipt their Barns and kept close the door,
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For fear to shew Charity unto the Poor.
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But this Man he was of a spirit so sweet,
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Being a very great help to all he did meet,
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Great was his Pity, his Bounty also,
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Exact he would not of Friend nor of Foe.
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But freely at half-Rates his Corn he did sell,
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As all just people hereafter will tell.
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By the exacting of others the distrest came so fast,
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His Barns at those low rates were emptied at last.
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That he had no Corn for his house, but he bought,
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And yet all the Countrys over he sought,
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To help to supply the wants of the needy,
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In City or Country no man so speedy.
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He bought a fresh Stock at the Market-rates,
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All the Poor near him anticipates.
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Still at the half-Rates that the Poor may live,
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He sold to them, though twice more he did give.
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The Second Part.
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OBserve with me this following strain,
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And we shall all agree,
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That i'th' remembrance of his name,
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I'th' Chronicle he must be:
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For nere did man the like before,
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Or ere will he do less,
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But still strive daily to do more,
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His works God so doth bless.
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That whenscere his Plow is going,
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The ill seasons of the weather,
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Forbear and hold up whilst he's sowing,
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And still will keep together.
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The Example there is so well known,
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Observed in this year,
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That on his ground there scarce hath grown
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A Straw with single Ear.
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But most were double eared and full,
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Some treble eared grew,
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None in his Harvest was so dull,
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But what was inch thick too.
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In several parts it still appears
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By very honest men,
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As few Straws had but single Ears,
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There were others which had ten.
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And all so full and largely corn'd,
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That thrice the Crop it yields,
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And bravely hath six Barns adorn'd
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More than their neighbouring fields,
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Whose Husbandmen that till their ground,
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And of this Corn do buy,
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Hope that their Lands will all abound
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And no more barren lie.
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His Cattel also have encreast
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More than his Neighbours do,
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Who have no young ones from their Beast,
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Whilst one Cow brings him two.
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In thanks to God for's blessing great,
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The Poor for to relieve,
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Of Barly, Ry and of good Wheat
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Three Strick a week he'l give.
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Now unto all I give advice,
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Be kind unto the Poor,
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And you will find God won't be nice
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To multiply your Store.
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The Example here before is shown
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I hope will practis'd be,
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That so we all at Heavens Throne
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May meet Eternity,
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FINIS.
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