When first I took my pen in hand
This for to write, I did not understand
That I at all should make a book.

In more than twenty thins I set down,
This done I had twenty more in my crown;
And they began to multiply
Like the sparks that from the coals do fly.

Well, so I did, but yet did not think
To show to all the world my pen and ink;
In such a mode I only thought to make,
I knew not what, nor did I undertake

Thereby to please by neighbor; no, not I;
I did it mine own self to gratify.
Thus I set pen to paper with delight,
And quickly had my thoughts in black and white.

For, having now my methods by the end,
Still as I pulled it came, and so I penned
It down until at last it came to be
For length and breadth and thickness as you see.

Well, when I put my ends together
I showed them to others that I might see whether
They would condemn them or them justify -
Some said let them live, some let them die;

Some said print it, T.G., others said no;
Some it might do good, others said not so.

Now I was in a strait and did not see
What was the best thing for me to do;
At last I thought since you are thus divided,
I print it will and so the case was decided.



Transcribed by:Jeanie Lowe