Set the cart before the horse.

John Heywood (Circa 1565): Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii.

Now fitted the halter, now traversed the cart,

And often took leave, but was loth to depart.

Matthew Prior (1664-1721): The Thief and the Cordelier.

Thespis, the first professor of our art,

At country wakes sung ballads from a cart.

John Dryden (1631-1701): Prologue to Lee's Sophonisba.