¶ Aprils husbandrie.
Chap. 38.
Swéete April showers,
Doo spring Maie flowers.
Forgotten month past,
Doe now at the last.
1[1]
In Cambridge shire forward to Lincolne shire way,
the champion maketh his fallow in May.
Then thinking so dooing one tillage woorth twaine,
by forcing of weede, by that meanes to [refraine].
2
If April be dripping, then doo I not hate,
(for him that hath little) his fallowing late,
Else otherwise fallowing timelie is best,
for sauing of cattel, of plough and the rest.
3
Be suer of plough to be readie at hand,
er compas ye spred that on hillocks did stand:
Least drieing so lieing, doo make it decaie,
er euer much water doo wash it awaie.
4
Looke now to prouide ye of meadow for hay,
if fennes be vndrowned, there cheapest ye may.[2]
In fen for the bullock, for horse not so well,
count best the best cheape,[E284] wheresoeuer ye dwell.
5
Prouide ye of cowmeate, for cattel at night,
and chiefly where commons lie far out of sight:
Where cattel lie tied without any meat,
that profit by dairie can neuer be great.
Put poles to your hophils.