Beheading (dropping the first letter) of the second answer word to this flat will give you the first.  

When the farmer took over that sere

   plot of land,

The earth was all barren and dun.

But he took up his hoe

And said with a crow,

"I won't _ _ _ _ _ these old fields to lie _ _ _ _ _ _!" 

Answers:

 

ALLOW - FALLOW 

 

Credit:

The Enigma

July, 2020

LADY MONDEGREEN