Midday
He leads at Home the sorriest of Lives . They take his wages from him , and , were it not for a lump of fat Bacon which my friend 's Servants give him now and again for Charity 's sake , he would have nothing better to eat from Week 's End to Week 's End than the hunch of Bread and the morsel of Cheese that are doled forth to him every morning when he goes to his labour . Only the other day , his sixth daughter , a comely Piece enough , was Married . The poor old Shepherd begs a Holiday , granted to him easily enough , and goes home at Midday instead of Even , thinking to have some part in the Wedding Rejoicings , the which his last week 's wages have gone some way to furnish forth . I promise you that 't is a fine Family Feast that he comes across . What but ribs of Beef and Strong Ale -- none of your Harvest Clink -- and old Cyder and Plum-pudding galore ! But his Family will have none of his company , and set the poor old Shepherd apart , giving him but an extra lump of Bread and Cheese to regale himself withal .