Nettles

Practical Uses
The fibers in the stalk of the nettle can be peeled away from the core of the stalk and uses to make cordage.

Scottish Rhyme
An old Scots rhyme about the nettle:

Cowe the Nettle
Gin ye be for lang kail, Cowe the nettle, stoo the nettle; Gin ye be for lang kail, Cowe the nettle early. Cowe it laich, cowe it sune, Cowe it in the month o' June; Stoo it ere it's in the bloom, Cowe the nettle early. Cowe it by the old wa's, Cowe it where the sun ne'er fa's, Stoo it when the day daws, Cowe the nettle early. Auld heuk wi' no ae tooth, Cowe the nettle, stoo the nettle; Auld gluive wi' leather loof, Cowe the nettle early.

Literal Translation
If you are for long cabbage (pot greens) Cut the nettle, crop the nettle If you are for long cabbage Cut the nettle early Cut it low, cut it soon, Cut it in the month of June Crop it before it's in the bloom, Cut the nettle early Cut it by the old ways (paths), Cut it where the sun never falls Crop it when the day dawns, Cut the nettle early Old hook (sickle) without a tooth Cut the nettle, crop the nettle Old glove with leather palm Cut the nettle early

Rhyming translation into English
If you want some good greens Cut the nettle, crop the nettle If you want some good greens Cut the nettle early Cut it low, cut it soon, Cut it in the month of June Crop it 'fore it's in the bloom Cut the nettle early Cut it by the old pathway Cut it where the sun don't play Crop it at the break of day Cut the nettle early Old sickle, toothless blade Cut the nettle, crop the nettle Old glove in leather laid Cut the nettle early

Traditional English Rhyme
A well-known English rhyme about the stinging nettle is:

Tender-handed, stroke a nettle, And it stings you for your pains. Grasp it like a man of mettle, And it soft as silk remains.