THE MOON AND PLANT GROWTH 89 



Yet another version relates that a man stole a 

 bundle of wood on a Sunday, because he thought 

 he would have the forest quietly to himself on that 

 day. However, as he left the forest he met a 

 stranger, who turned out to be none other than 

 God Himself. After duly reproving the thief, 

 the Almighty gave him the choice as to whether he 

 would be banished to the sun or the moon. 



The man chose the latter, declaring he would 

 rather freeze in the moon than burn in the sun; 

 and so the Broom-man came into the moon, with 

 his faggot on his back. 



Rapin, in his poem on " Gardens," has the 

 following lines bearing on the moon: 



" If you with flowers would stock the pregnant earth, 



Mark well the Moon propitious to their birth : 

 For Earth the silent midnight queen obeys, 



And waits her course, who, clad in silver rays, 

 Th' Eternal round of times and seasons guides. 



Controls the air, and o'er the wind presides. 

 Four days expired you have your time to sow. 



Till to the full th' increasing Moon shall grow; 

 This past, your labour you in vain bestow: 



Nor let the gardener dare to plant a flower 

 While on his work the heavens ill-boding lower; 



When Moons forbid, forbidding Moons obey. 

 And hasten when the Stars inviting beams display." 



