Or, if the babbling foule we call a jay, 



A squirrel, or a hare, but crosse their way, 



Or, if the salt fall towards them at table, 



Or if any such like superstitious bable ; 



Their mirth is spoiled, because they hold it true 



That some mischance must thereupon ensue." 



According to the Danish astronomer, two and thirty days 

 in every year were particularly unlucky, these were: 



January 1, 2, 4, 6, 11, 12, 21. 



February 11, 17, 18. 



March 1, 14, 15. 



April 10, 17, 18. 



May 17, 18. 



June 6. 



July 17, 21. 



August 20, 21. 



September 10, 18. 



October 6. . 



November 6, 18. 



December 6, 11, 18. 



A child born on either of these days would certainly die 

 in infancy; a man taken sick on these days would seldom 

 recover; a man married on these days would experience 

 poverty and misery ; whosoever moves from one house to an- 

 other, or changes his service, or travels from one country 

 into another on any of these days will have trouble; to buy 

 or to sell, to begin any new enterprise on these days is very 

 unlucky, and he who goes to court will lose the judgment. 

 To these 32 unlucky days must be added the 52 Fridays, 

 making 84 black and 281 white days in each year. 



"Beside they give attention to blinde astronomers, 

 About th' aspects in every howre of sundrie shining stars ; 

 And underneath what planet every man is born and bred, 

 What good or evill fortune doth hang over every hed." 



Naogeorgus* 



92 



