Forgotten, month past,
Doe now at the last.[1]
1[2]
At Mihelmas lightly new fermer comes in,
new husbandrie forceth him new to begin:
Old fermer, still taking the time to him giuen,
makes August to last vntill Mihelmas euen.[E70]
2
New fermer may enter (as [champions] say)
on all that is fallow, at Lent ladie day:
In woodland, old fermer to that will not yeeld,
for loosing of pasture, and feede of his feeld.[E71]
Ferme take or giue over.
3
Prouide against Mihelmas,[3] [bargaine] to make,
for ferme to giue ouer, to keepe or to take:
In dooing of either, let [wit] beare a stroke,
for buieng or selling of pig in a [poke].[E72]
Twelue good properties.
4
Good ferme and well stored, good housing and drie,
good corne and good dairie, good market and [nie]:
Good shepheard, good [tilman], good Jack and good Gil,
makes husband and huswife their [cofers][4] to fil.
Haue euer a good fence.
5
Let pasture be stored, and fenced about,
and tillage set forward, as needeth without:
Before ye doe open your purse to begin,
with anything dooing for fancie within.
Best cattle most profit.