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The merthe of alle this londe
Maketh the gode husbonde,
With erynge of his plowe.
I-blessyd be Cristes sonde,
That hath us sent in honde
Merthe and joye y-nowe.
The plowe goth mony a gate,
Bothe erly and eke late,
In wynter in the clay.
A-boute barly and whete,
That maketh men to swete,
God spede the plowe al day!
Browne, Morel, and gore
Drawen the plowe ful sore,
Al in the morwenynge.
Rewarde hem therfore
With a shefe or more,
All in the evenynge.
Whan men bygynne to sowe,
Ful wel here corne they knowe
In the mounthe of May.
Howe-ever Janyuer blowe,
Whether hye or lowe,
God spede the plowe all way!
Whan men bygynneth to wede
The thystle fro the sede,
In somer whan they may,
God lete hem wel to spede,
And longe gode lyfe to lede,
All that for plowe-men pray.
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(see note)
plowing
dispensation
course; (see note)
also
soil
barley; wheat
sweat
May God always bless the plow
(see note)
morning
them
(see note)
their wheat
However January
weed out
seed
summer
let them prosper well
lead
who
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