In the first scene a beginning is made by the entrance of a single
shepherd, grumpy, frost-bitten, and growling rebelliously against the
probably widely resented practice of purveyance whereby a nobleman might
exact from his farm-tenantry provisions and service for his needs, even
though the farmer's own land should suffer from neglect in consequence.
Thus he says,

No wonder, as it standys, if we be poore,
For the tylthe of oure landys lyys falow as the floore,
As ye ken.
We ar so hamyd[27],
For-taxed[28] and ramyd[29],
We ar mayde hand-tamyd,
Withe thyse gentlery men.
Thus they refe[30] us oure rest, Oure Lady theym wary[31]!
These men that ar lord-fest, thay cause the ploghe tary.
That men say is for the best we fynde it contrary.
Thus ar husbandys opprest, in pointe to myscary,
On lyfe.

By way of excuse for his grumblings he adds in conclusion,

It dos me good, as I walk thus by myn oone,
Of this warld for to talk in maner of mone.

The second shepherd, who enters next, has other grounds for discontent.
He, poor man, has a vixen for a wife.

As sharp as thystille, as rugh as a brere,