If suche may boast as by a subtile arte, Canne without labour make excessive gayne, And under name of Misterie imparte, Unto the worlde the Crafie's but of their brayne. How muche more doe their praise become men's themes That bothe by art and labour gett their meanes. And of all artes that worthe or praise doeth merite, To none the _Marshall Farrier's_ will submitt, That bothe by Physicks, arte, force, hands, and spiritt The Kinge and subject in peace and warre doe fitt, Many of Tuball boast first Smythe that ever wrought, But _Farriers_ more do, doe than Tuball ever taught. Three things there are that _Marshalry_ doe prove To be a Misterie exceeding farre, Those wilie Crafte's that many men doe love. Is unfitt for peace and more unaptt for warre, For Honor, Anncestrie, and for Utilitie, _Farriers_ may boast their artes habilitie, For Honor, view, this anncient Pedigree[1] Of Noble Howses, that did beare the name Of _Farriers_, and were _Earles_; as you may see, That used the arte and did supporte the same, And to perpetuall honour of the Crafte, Castells they buylt and to succession left. For anncestrie of tyme oh! who canne tell The first beginning of so old a trade, For Horses were before the Deluge fell, And cures, and shoes, before that tyme were made, We need not presse tyme farther then it beares, A Company have _Farriers_ beene 300 Yeres!! And in this _Cittie London_ have remayned Called by the name of _Marshall Farriers_, Which title of Kinge Edward the Third was gaynde, For service done unto him in his warres, A _Maister_ and two _Wardens_ in skill expert, The trade to rule and give men their desert. And for utilitie that cannot be denied, That many are the Proffitts that arise To all men by the _Farriers_ arte beside. To them they are tied, by their necessities, From the Kinge's steede unto the ploweman's cart, All stande in neede of _Farriers_ skillfull arte. In peace at hande the _Farriers_ must be hadde, For lanncing, healinge, bleedinge, and for shooeinge, In Warres abroade of hym they wille be gladd To cure the wounded Horsse, still he is douinge, In peace or warre abroade, or ellse at home, To Kinge and Countrie that some good may come. Loe! thus you heare the _Farriers_ endelesss praise, God grant it last as many yeres as it hath lasted Daies. Anno Dni 1612. G.W. [1] It commences from Henri de Ferrer, Lord of Tetbury, a Norman who came over with William the Conqueror. * * * * * CURIOUS SCRAPS. We read of a beautiful table, "wherein Saturn was of copper, Jupiter of gold, Mars of iron, and the Sun of silver, the eyes were charmed, and the mind instructed by beholding the circles. The Zodiac and all its signs formed with wonderful art, of metals and precious stones." Was not this an imperfect orrery?