Part 1 — OATS.
Reading edition
(1) Iris. Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas Of Wheat, Rye, Barley, Vetches, Oats, and Pease.
Tempest, act iv, sc. 1 (60).
(2) Spring Song. When shepherds pipe on Oaten straws.
Love's Labour's Lost, act v, sc. 2 (913).
(3) Bottom. Truly a peck of provender; I could munch your good dry Oats.
Midsummer Night's Dream, act iv, sc. 1 (35).
(4) Grumio. Ay, sir, they be ready; the Oats have eaten the horses.
Taming of the Shrew, act iii, sc. 2 (207).
(5) First Carrier. Poor fellow, never joyed since the price of Oats rose—it was the death of him.
1st Henry IV, act ii, sc. 1 (13).
(6) Captain. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried Oats, If it be man's work, I'll do it.
King Lear, act v, sc. 3 (38).
Shakespeare's Oats need no comment, except to note that the older English name for Oats was Haver (see "Promptorium Parvulorum," p. 372; and "Catholicon Anglicum," p. 178, with the notes). The word was in use in Shakespeare's time, and still survives in the northern parts of England.