In the World History of Beekeeping and Honey Hunting, Eva Crane writes:

Palladius' Latin work on agriculture written in the 300s -- probably the copy in Colchester Castle – was translated into English about 1420 and it included one of the few beekeeping texts then available in English. The first few lines described the apiary and were followed by a long list of plants to be grown there.

The Bee-yerd be not ferre , but faire asyde
Gladsum , secrete , and hoote , alle from the wynde
Square , and so bigge into hit that no thef stride.
Thaire floures in coloures or her kynde
In busshes , treen , and herbes thai may finde 
Herbe origane, and tyme, and violette,
Eke affadille and savery therby sette ...

PLB

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