12.

1 A plot set downe, for fermers quiet, as time requires, to frame his diet: With sometime fish, and sometime fast, that houshold store may longer last.[E58] Lent. 2 Let Lent well kept offend not thee, for March and Aprill breeders bee: Spend herring first, saue saltfish last, for saltfish is good, when Lent is past. Easter. 3 When Easter comes, who knowes not than, that Veale and Bakon is the man:[E59] And Martilmas beefe[1][E60] doth beare good tack, when countrie folke doe dainties lack. Midsommer. Mihelmas. 4 When Mackrell ceaseth from the seas, John Baptist brings grassebeefe and pease. Fresh herring plentie, Mihell brings, with fatted Crones,[2] and such old things.[E61] Hallomas. Christmas. 5 All Saints doe laie for porke and souse, for sprats and spurlings for their house.[E62] At Christmas play and make good cheere, for Christmas comes but once a yeere. A caueat. Fasting. 6 Though some then doe, as doe they would, let thriftie doe, as doe they should. For causes good, so many waies, keepe Embrings[E63] wel, and fasting daies: Fish daies. A thing needful. 7 What lawe commands, we ought to obay, for Friday, Saturne, and Wednesday.[E64] The land doth will, the sea doth wish, spare sometime flesh, and feede of fish. The last remedie. Where fish is scant, and fruit of trees, Supplie that want with butter and cheese. T. Tusser.