HOLY CROSS TIDE. 123 



MAY 2. St, Athanasius, patriarch of Alexandria, 

 A.D. 373. 



Obs. St. Athanasius was a ntitive of Alexandria, born about the 

 year 296. He was the true pillar of the church ; his life and con- 

 duct were the rule of bishops, and his doctrine the rule of the ortho- 

 dox faith : he was a loadstone to heretics. After innumerable 

 combats and as many victories, this glorious Saint, having governed 

 the church of Alexandria forty six years, was called to a life exempt 

 from suffering on the 2d of JMay, in the year 373. He ended his 

 life in a holy old age. — Butler. 



Charlock Raphanus Raphanistrum flowers. 

 Kidlock Sinapis arvensis flowers. 

 Morella Cherry Prunus Cerasus Morella flowers. 

 Pike Geranium Geranium sanguineum flowers. 

 Marigold Calendula officinalis flowers. 



Both Charlock and Kidlock, as they are called in the south of 

 England, now flower in the fields, and both are troublesome weeds, 

 particularly Kidlock, during the solstitial and early parts of the 

 aestival seasons, when they cover certain fields with pale yellow; at 

 present they only flower sparingly. 



Fruit trees of all sorts are now in flower, and the whole face of 

 the country is covered with blossoms, particularly the orchard 

 countries. 



The Marigold is in full blow, that is the last year's plants ; and 

 the Pike Geranium begins to open its lake coloured flowers. 



The full Ciiorus of the Grove now adds greatly to the charm of 

 the country. Martins and Swallows are becoming numerous, and 

 the young leaves give the trees a rich yellowish green. The wea- 

 ther is generally fine, and refreshed with fine vegetating showers. 



The follovv'ing lines from the Anth. Bar. et Aust. may perhaps 

 allude to the sign Virgo, now conspicuous through the night, or to 

 ihe Fable of Astraea : 



Sweete softe eyed Virgin, liandmaiil of new May, 



Wlio ffhylonied<iiice(l on Eartli's green flowrfe breast, 



Wliy hastenest thou to Heaven's liiL'h starrie way, 

 . To seeke in yonder Pole a place of rest? 



Tliy footsteps slouiie wear and wane away, 

 Since tierce Erynnis trod our troubled soil. 



And bloodstriped Fury, drest in Waj's array. 

 Drove every peaceful peasant from his toil, 



Made spears of scycles, slau^'-litered all our lambs. 



And took our .Maypoles to make batterioir rams. 



