Part 1
A MEDLEY OF WEATHER LORE
A MEDLEY OF WEATHER LORE
COLLECTED BY M. E. S. WRIGHT
"An almanack is out at twelve months day, My legacy it doth endure for aye, But take you notice, though 'tis but a hint, It far exceeds some books of greater print."
THE SHEPHERD'S LEGACY. (_John Claridge, 1670_)
Horace G. Commin, Bournemouth 1913
THE ANCHOR PRESS, LTD., TIPTREE, ESSEX.
CONTENTS
PAGE
PREFACE 5
JANUARY 9
FEBRUARY 17
MARCH 24
APRIL 37
MAY 52
JUNE 67
JULY 85
AUGUST 94
SEPTEMBER 100
OCTOBER 109
NOVEMBER 116
DECEMBER 121
INDEX 131
PREFACE
In this collection of Weather Lore and Poetry I beg to acknowledge with gratitude permission from Messrs. Macmillan to quote lines from Tennyson, Charles Turner, Alfred Austin, Matthew Arnold, Christina Rossetti, T. E. Brown, and Francis Doyle.
From Messrs. Longman and Green from Jean Ingelow, from "Four Bridges," and "An Afternoon at a Parsonage." Andrew Lang, from "A Ballade of Summer." William Morris' from "The Earthly Paradise," and "Love is Enough," and Edwin Arnold, from "Bloom of an Almond Tree."
From Messrs. Kegan Paul and Trench from Lewis Morris. From Messrs. Chatto and Windus (by the courtesy of Mr. Theodore Watts-Dunton) for the inclusion of verses by A. Swinburne, and from the Walter Scott Publishing Company for the use of Selections of R. W. Emerson and Owen Meredith. I have endeavoured to avoid infringing copyrights, but if I should have done so inadvertently I beg that my sincere apologies maybe accepted.
M. E. S. WRIGHT.
A MEDLEY OF WEATHER LORE
A MEDLEY OF WEATHER LORE
JANUARY
Ancient Cornish name for the month: Mis-jenver, cold air month.
* * * * *
Jewel for the month: Garnet. Constancy.
* * * * *
If Janiveer calends be summerly gay, 'Twill be wintry weather till the calends of May.
* * * * *
The wind of the South will be productive of heat and fertility; the wind of the West, of milk and fish; the wind from the North, of cold and storm; the wind from the East, of fruit on the trees.
_Scotland._
* * * * *
At New Year's tide The days lengthen a cock's stride.
_Proverb in the North._
* * * * *
A cold January, a feverish February, a dusty March, a weeping April, a windy May, presage a good year and gay.
_France._
* * * * *
Warwickshire countrymen to ensure good luck bow nine times to the first New Moon of the year.
* * * * *
A snow year, a rich year.
* * * * *
The blackest month of all the year Is the month of Janiveer.
* * * * *
Through all the sad and weary hours Which cold and dark and storms will bring, We scarce believe in what we know-- That time drags on at last to Spring.
* * * * *
The empty pastures blind with rain.
* * * * *
If the grass grow in Janiveer 'Twill be the worse for 't all the year.
* * * * *
A fair day in winter is the mother of a storm.
* * * * *
Under water famine, under snow bread.
* * * * *
March in Janiveer, Janiveer in March I fear.
* * * * *
A year of snow a year of plenty.
_Spain._
* * * * *
Winter time for shoeing; Peascod time for wooing.
_Devon._
* * * * *
1565
On Twelve-eve in Christmas, they used to set up as high as they can a sieve of oats, and in it a dozen candles set round, and in the centre one larger, all lighted. This in memory of our Saviour and His Apostles, lights of the world.
_Westmeath custom._
* * * * *
In the South-hams of Devonshire, on the Eve of the Epiphany, the farmer attended by his workmen, with a large pitcher of cyder, goes to the orchard, and there, encircling one of the best bearing trees, they drink the following toast three several times:
"Here's to thee, old apple-tree, Whence thou mayst bud, and whence thou mayst blow! And whence thou mayst bear apples enow! Hats-full, caps-full! Bushel-bushel-sacks-full! And my pockets full too! Huzza!"
* * * * *
OLD CUSTOM OF BLESSING APPLE TREES ON TWELFTH DAY.
Apple-tree, apple-tree, Bear apples for me: Hats full, laps full, Sacks full, caps full: Apple-tree, apple-tree, Bear apples for me.
* * * * *
"Twelfth-Day--came in a tiffany suit, white and gold, like a queen on a frost-cake, all royal, glittering, and Epiphanous."
_Elia._
* * * * *
January the fourteenth will be either the coldest or wettest day of the year.
_Huntingdon._
* * * * *
ST. ANTHONY. (_January 17th._)
It is affirmed of him that all the world bemoaned his death, for afterwards there fell no rain from heaven for three years.
ST. VINCENT. (_January 22nd. Old Style. February 3rd. New Style._)
Remember in St. Vincent's Day If the sun his beams display, 'Tis a token bright and clear, That you will have a prosperous year.
* * * * *
Winter's thunder's summer's wonder.
* * * * *
ST. PAUL'S EVE. (_January 24th._)
Winter's white shrowd doth cover all the grounde, And Caecias blows his bitter blaste of woe; The ponds and pooles, and streams in ice are bounde, And famished birds are shivering in the snowe.
* * * * *
Still round about the house they flitting goe, And at the windows seek for scraps of foode Which Charity with hand profuse doth throwe, Right weeting that in neede of it they stoode, For Charity is shown by working creatures goode. The sparrowe pert, the chaffinche gay and cleane, The redbreast welcome to the cotter's house, The livelie blue tomtit, the oxeye greene, The dingie dunnock, and the swart colemouse; The titmouse of the marsh, the nimble wrenne, The bullfinch and the goldspink, with the king Of birds the goldcrest. The thrush, now and then, The blackbird, wont to whistle in the spring, Like Christians seeke the heavenlie food Saint Paul doth bring.
_Dr. Forster._
* * * * *
ST. PAUL'S DAY.
If Saint Paul's Day be fair and clear, It promises then a happy year; But if it chance to snow or rain, Then will be dear all sorts of grain; Or if the wind do blow aloft, Great stirs will vex the world full oft; And if dark clouds do muff the sky, Then foul and cattle oft will die.
_T. Passenger._
* * * * *
OF GARDENS.
For the latter part of January and February, the mezerion tree, which then blossoms; crocus vernus, both the yellow and the gray; primroses, anemones, the early tulippa, hyacinthus orientalis, chamairis, frettellaria.
_Bacon._
* * * * *
A January spring Is worth no thing.
* * * * *
Pluck broom, broom still, Cut broom, broom kill.
_Tusser._
* * * * *
Good gardener mine, Make garden fine, Set garden pease, And beans if ye please. Set respis and rose, Young roots of those. Who now sows oats Gets gold and groats. Who sows in May, Gets little that way.
_Tusser._
* * * * *
A kindly good January freezeth pot by the fire.
* * * * *
O Winter! wilt thou never--never go! O Summer! but I weary for thy coming!
_David Gray._
* * * * *
If the robin sings in the bush, then the weather will be coarse; but if the robin sings on the barn, then the weather will be warm.
_Norfolk._
FEBRUARY
Ancient Cornish name: Hu-evral, whirling month.
* * * * *
Jewel: Amethyst. Sincerity.
* * * * *
One month is past, another is begun, Since merry bells rang out the dying year, And buds of rarest green began to peer, As if impatient for a warmer sun; And though the distant hills are bleak and dun, The virgin snowdrop, like a lambent fire, Pierces the cold earth, with its green-streaked spire; And in dark woods the wandering little one May find a primrose.
_Hartley Coleridge._
* * * * *
Fair rising from her icy couch, Wan herald of the floral year, The snowdrop marks the spring's approach, Ere yet the primrose groups appear, Or peers the arum from its spotted veil, Or violets scent the cold capricious gale.
_Charlotte Smith._
* * * * *
Candlemas shined, and the winter's behind.
* * * * *
If Candlemas Day be fair and bright The winter will take another flight; But if it should be dark and drear Then winter is gone for another year.
* * * * *
When on the Purification sun hath shined, The greater part of winter comes behind.
* * * * *
The badger peeps out of his hole on Candlemas Day, and if he finds snows, walks abroad; but if he sees the sun shining, he draws back into his hole.
_German saying._
* * * * *
On Candlemas Day if the thorns hang-a-drop, Then you are sure of a good pea crop.
* * * * *
When the wind's in the East on Candlemas Day, There it will stick till the second of May.
* * * * *
February fill the ditch, Black or white we don't care which.
_Hants._
* * * * *
All the months of the year Fear a fair Februeer.
* * * * *
The dim droop of a sombre February day.
* * * * *
There is an old proverb, That birds of a feather On Saint Valentine's day Will meet together.
* * * * *
1733.
Why, Valentine's a day to choose A mistress, and our freedom lose? May I my reason interpose, The question with an answer close? To imitate we have a mind, And couple like the winged kind.
_John Dunton._
* * * * *
I early rose, just at the break of day, Before the sun had chased the stars away; Afield I went, amid the morning dew, To milk my kine (for so should housewives do), Thee first I spied, and the first swain we see. In spite of fortune, shall our true-love be.
_Gay._
* * * * *
SHROVE-TIDE.
Beef and bacon's out of season, I want a pan to parch my peason.
_Berks._
* * * * *
Knick-knock, the pan's hot, And we are come a-shroving, For a piece of pancake, Or a piece of bacon, Or a piece of truckle cheese Of your own making.
_Hants._
* * * * *
On Shrove Tuesday night, though the supper be fat, Before Easter Day thou mayst fast for that.
_Isle of Man._
* * * * *
PANCAKE BELL. (_Congleton._)
The housekeeper goes to the huxter's shop, And the eggs are brought home, and there's flop! flop! flop! And there's batter, and butter, and savoury smell, While merrily rings the Pancake Bell.
* * * * *
So much sun as shineth on Pancake Tuesday, the like will shine every day in Lent.
* * * * *
A hoar frost, Third day crost, The fourth lost.
_Lancs._
* * * * *
BEAN SOWING.
One for the mouse, one for the crow, One to rot, one to grow.
* * * * *
Sow peason and beans in the wane of the moone, Who soweth them sooner, he soweth too soon; That they with the planet may rest and rise, And flourish with bearing, most plentiful wise.
_Tusser._
* * * * *
If February gives much snow A fine summer it doth foreshow.
* * * * *
Now set for thy pot Best herbs to be got, For flowers go set, All sorts ye can get.
_Tusser._
* * * * *
In Oxfordshire the first bee seen in February is saluted, as this is said to bring good luck.
* * * * *
THRUSH'S SONG.
"Did he do it? Did he do it? Come and see, come and see; Knee deep, knee deep; Cherry sweet, cherry sweet, To me! to me! to me!"
* * * * *
The pretty lark, Climbing the welkin clear, Chaunts with a "Cheer, here, peer, I near my dear!" When stooping thence, Seeming her fall to rue, "Adieu," she cries, "Adieu! dear Love, adieu!"
* * * * *
When after a rough and stormy day there is a lull in the wind at the going down of the sun, old men say: "Us shall have better weather now, for the wind's gone to sleep with the sun."
_Devon._
* * * * *
When a moorland shepherd meets his sheep on a winter's night coming down from the hilltops (where they prefer to sleep) he knows that a storm is brewing.
MARCH
Ancient Cornish name: Miz-merp, horse month.
* * * * *
Jewel: Bloodstone. Courage and wisdom.
* * * * *
Upon St. David's Day Put oats and barley in the clay.
* * * * *
The leeke is white and green, whereby is ment That Britaines are both stout and eminent; Next to the lion and the unicorne, The leek's the fairest emblyn that is worne.
_Harleian MS._
* * * * *
On the first of March The crows begin to search, By the first of April They are sitting still, By the first of May They are a' flown away; Croupin' greedy back again, Wi' October's wind and rain.
* * * * *
He who freely lops in March will get his lap full of fruit.
_Portuguese saying._
* * * * *
Tossing his mane of snows in wildest eddies and tangles, Warlike March cometh in, hoarse, with tempestuous breath. Through all the moaning chimneys, and 'thwart all the hollows and angles, Round the shuddering house, breathing of winter and death.
_W. D. Howells._
* * * * *
Welcome, O March! whose kindly days and dry Make April ready for the throstle's song, Thou first redresser of the winter's wrong.
_W. Morris._
* * * * *
OF GARDENS.
For March there come violets, especially the single blue, which are the earliest; the early daffodil, the daisy, the almond tree in blossom, the peach tree in blossom, the cornelian (dogwood) tree in blossom, sweetbrier.
_Bacon._
* * * * *
A frosty winter, and a dusty March, And a rain about Aperill, And another about the Lammas time When the corn begins to fill, Is worth a ploughy of gold And all her pins theretill.
* * * * *
Come gather the crocus-cups with me, And dream of the summer coming; Saffron, and purple, and snowy white, All awake to the first bees humming.
The white is there for the maiden-heart, And the purple is there for sorrow; The saffron is there for the true true love, And they'll all be dead to-morrow.
_Sebastian Evans._
* * * * *
Beside the garden path the crocus now Puts forth its head to woo the genial breeze, And finds the snowdrop, hardier visitant, Already basking in the solar ray. Upon the brooke the water cresses float More greenly, and the bordering reeds exalt Higher their speary summits. Joyously, From stone to stone, the ouzel flits along, Startling the linnet from the hawthorn bough; While on the elm-tree, overshadowing deep The low-roofed cottage white, the blackbird sits Cheerily hymning the awakened year.
* * * * *
Blank earth-baldness clothes itself afresh, And breaks into the crocus-purple hour.
_Tennyson._
* * * * *
Spring's an expansive time: yet I don't trust March with its peck of dust, Nor April with its rainbow-crowned brief showers, Nor even May, whose flowers One frost may wither through the sunless hours.
_C. Rossetti._
* * * * *
If it does not freeze on the tenth of March a fertile year may be expected.
* * * * *
In March is good graffing, the skilful do know, So long as the wind in the east do not blow: From moon being changed, till past be the prime, For graffing and cropping is very good time.
_Tusser._
* * * * *
In March and in April, from morning to night, In sowing and setting good huswives delight: To have in a garden or other like plot, To trim up their house, and to furnish their pot.
_Tusser._
* * * * *
TO THE DAFFODIL.
O Love-star of the unbeloved March, When cold and shrill, Forth flows beneath a low dim-lighted arch The wind that beats sharp crag and barren hill, And keeps unfilmed the lately torpid rill!
Herald and harbinger! with thee Begins the year's great jubilee! Of her solemnities sublime (A sacristan whose gusty taper Flashes through earliest morning vapour) Thou ring'st dark nocturns and dim prime. Birds that have yet no heart for song Gain strength with thee to twitter, And, warm at last, where hollies throng, The mirror'd sunbeams glitter.
_A. De Vere._
* * * * *
The softest turf of English green, With sloping walks and trees between, And then a bed of flowers half-seen.
Here daffodils in early Spring And violets their off'rings bring, And sweetest birds their hymns outsing.
* * * * *
When country roads begin to thaw In mottled spots of damp and dust, And fences by the margin draw Along the frozen crust Their graphic silhouettes, I say, The Spring is coming round this way.
When suddenly some shadow bird Goes wavering beneath the gaze, And through the hedge the moan is heard Of kine that fain would graze In grasses new, I smile and say, The Spring is coming round this way.
_Whitcomb Riley._
* * * * *
Oh, what a dawn of day! How the March sun feels like May! All is blue again After last night's rain.
_Browning._
* * * * *
No summer flowers are half so sweet As those of early Spring.
* * * * *
Under the furze is hunger and cold, Under the broom is silver and gold.
* * * * *
THE SPRING.
When wintry weather's all a-done, An' brooks do sparkle in the zun, An' naisy-builden rooks do vlee Wi' sticks toward their elem tree; When birds do zing, an' we can zee Upon the bough the buds o' spring-- Then I'm as happy as a king, A'vield wi' health an' sunshine.
Vor then the cowslips hangin' flow'r A-wetted in the zunny show'r, Do grow wi' vi'lets, sweet o' smell, Beside the wood-screen'd graegle's bell; Where drushes aggs, wi' sky-blue shell, Do lie in mossy nest among Thorns, while they do zing their zong At evenin' in the zunsheen.
_W. Barnes._
* * * * *
A camomile bed,-- The more it is trodden, The more it will spread.
* * * * *
Thunder in spring Cold will bring.
* * * * *
March search, April try, May will prove if you live or die.
* * * * *
March wind and May sun Makes clothes white and maids dun.
* * * * *
March does from April gain Three days, and they're in rain, Returned by April in's bad kind, Three days, and they're in wind.
* * * * *
Sun set in a clear, Easterly wind's near; Sun set in a bank, Westerly will not lack.
_Scotland._
* * * * *
In the morning look toward the south east; In the evening look toward the north west.
_China._
* * * * *
Pale moon doth rain, Red moon doth blow, White moon doth neither rain nor snow.
_Latin proverb._
* * * * *
Any person neglecting to kill the first butterfly he may see for the season will have ill luck throughout the year.
_Devon and Hants._
* * * * *
ST. PATRICK'S DAY. (_March 17th._)
Gervase of Tilbury gives a legend that on St. Patrick's Day, to do homage to him, the fish rise from the sea, pass in procession before his altar, and then disappear.
* * * * *
DIVINATION BY A DAFFODIL.
When a daffodil I see Hanging down his head t'wards me, Guesse I may what I must be: First, I shall decline my head; Secondly, I shall be dead; Lastly, safely buryed.
_Herrick._
* * * * *
Hail! once again, that sweet strong note! Loud on my loftiest larch, Thou quaverest with thy mottled throat, Brave minstrel of bleak March!
_A. Austin._
* * * * *
March twenty-first, Spring begins.
* * * * *
Where the wind is at twelve o'clock on the twenty-first of March, there she'll bide for three months afterwards.
_Surrey and Hants._
* * * * *
When the wind blows from N.E.--a uniformly dry quarter during the week of the vernal equinox--it is an all but unfailing guide to the general character of the ensuing season.
* * * * *
Our vernal signs the Ram begins, Then comes the Bull, in May the Twins; The Crab in June, next Leo shines, And Virgo ends the northern signs. The Balance brings autumnal fruits, The Scorpion stings, the Archer shoots; December's Goat brings wintry blast, Aquarius rain, the Fish come last.
_E. C. Brewer._
* * * * *
Spring is here when you can tread on nine daisies at once on the village green.
* * * * *
There is a saying that if boys be beaten with an elder stick it hinders their growth.
* * * * *
When our Lord falls in our Lady's lap England will meet with a great mishap.
* * * * *
There is a tradition amongst New Forest gipsies that you must not soap your face on Good Friday, as it is said that soapsuds were thrown in Our Lord's face on the day of His Crucifixion.
* * * * *
Thou wilt remember one warm morn when winter Crept aged from the earth, and spring's first breath Blew soft from the moist hills; the blackthorn boughs, So dark in the bare wood, when glistening In the sunshine were white with coming buds, Like the bright side of a sorrow, and the banks Had violets opening from sleep like eyes.
_Browning._
* * * * *
If apples bloom in March, In vain for 'um you'll sarch; If apples bloom in April, Why then they'll be plentiful; If apples bloom in May, You may eat 'um night and day.
* * * * *
From whatever quarter the wind blows on Palm Sunday, it will continue to blow for the greater part of the coming summer.
_Hants._
* * * * *
As many days of fog in March, so many days of frost in May, on corresponding days.
_Hants._
In Spring a tub of rain makes a spoonful of mud. In Autumn a spoonful of rain makes a tub of mud.
* * * * *
There is a tradition that twin lambs are scarce in Leap Year.
* * * * *
Sleep with your head to the North--you will have sickness; to the South--long life; to the East--health and riches; to the West--fame.
APRIL
Ancient Cornish name: Miz-ebrall primrose month.
* * * * *