Forgotten month past,
Doe now at the last.
Husbandly lessons.
1
When Christmas is ended, bid feasting adue,
goe play the good husband, thy stock to renue.
Be mindfull of rearing, in hope of a gaine,
dame profit shall giue thee reward for thy paine.
2
Who both by his calfe and his lamb will be knowne,
may well kill a neate and a sheepe of his owne.
And he that can reare vp a pig in his house,
hath cheaper his bacon and sweeter his souse.
3
Who eateth his veale, pig and lamb being [froth],[E167]
shall twise in a weeke go to bed without broth.[1]
Vnskilfull that passe not, but sell away sell,
shall neuer haue plentie where euer they dwell.
4
Be greedie in spending, and [careles] to saue,
and shortly be needie and readie to craue.
Be [wilfull] to kill and vnskilfull to store,
and looke for no [foison][2], I tell thee before.[E168]
5
Lay dirt vpon heapes, faire yard to be seene,
if frost will abide it, to feeld with it cleene.[E169]
In winter a fallow some loue to bestowe,
where pease for the pot[3] they intend for to sowe.
Quick set now.
6
In making or mending as needeth thy ditch,
get set to quick set it, learne cunningly [whitch].[4]
In hedging (where clay is) get stake as ye knowe,
of popler and willow, for fewell to growe.
Kéepe cleane thy douehous.