His Grange, or Private Wealth

Though clock,
To tell how night draws hence, I’ve none,
        A cock
I have to sing how day draws on.
        I have
A maid, my Prew, by good luck sent
        To save
That little Fates me gave or lent.
        A hen
I keep, which creeking day by day,
        Tells when
She goes her long white egg to lay.
        A goose
I have, which with a jealous ear
        Lets loose
Her tongue to tell that danger’s near.
        A lamb
I keep, tame, with my morsels fed,
        Whose dam
An orphan left him, lately dead.
        A cat
I keep that plays about my house,
        Grown fat
With eating many a miching mouse.
        To these
A Tracy* I do keep whereby
        I please
The more my rural privacy;
        Which are
But toys to give my heart some ease;
        Where care
None is, slight things do lightly please.
His Grange, or Private Wealth

by Robert Herrick, 1648
