[God Speed the Plough]

(Oxford Univ., MS Archbishop Selden B. 26 fol. 19r)

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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.

(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