142 WHITSUN TIDE ? 



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MAY 21. St. Felix of Cantalicio, a.d. 1587. 

 St. Godric, hermit. 

 St. Hospitius, recluse. 



Obs. St. Felix was born at Cantalicio near to Citta Ducale in 

 the Ecclesiastical States in 1513. He was remarkable, as Butler 

 relates, for a happy turn of mind and a natural disposition to draw 

 sentiments of devotion from the beautiful and sublime phenomena 

 of nature : 



Nubila ros, imbres, nix, venti, fulmina grand a, 

 Et rapidi fremitus, et murmura magna minarum. 

 During his last sickness it is related of him that he was comforted 

 by a vision of the Blessed Virgin, accompanied with a large com- 

 pany of angels. He was beatified by Pope Urban VIIL in 1625, 

 and the Bull of his canonization was published by Pope Benedict 

 XIII. in 1724. His reliques remain in the church of his order at 

 Rome. 



Peregrine Piony Paeonia peregrina flowers. 



Ragged Robin Lychnis Flos Cuculi flowers. 



Pheasant's Eyes Adonis Flos Adonis flowers. 



Purple Star of Jerusalem Tragopogon porrifolius fl. 



The Ragged Robin is also called INIeadow Lychnis, Flower of 

 St. Felix, and Cuckoo Flower : it begins now to be common, and 

 continues to adorn the lowlands till it is mowed down in the undis- 

 tinguished heap of meadow hay at Midsummer, along with Butter- 

 cups and other plants of the late vernal season. 



The Purple Goatsbeard or Star of Jerusalem is introduced now 

 into our gardens, and is become common ; it grows wild about Pur- 

 fleet and in some of the marshes of the Medway near Hartfield in 

 Sussex. This as well as the Yellow Star of Jerusalem closing its 

 flowers at noon has been called Go to Bed at Noon, and also Flora's 

 Clock. They are as regular as a clock, and are mentioned as such 

 in the following verses : 



Rellred Leisures Delight. 

 To sit and smoke between two rows of Limes, 

 Along the wall of some neat old Datch town, 

 In noontide heat, and hear the jingling chimes 



From Stadlianse Steeple ; then to lay one down 

 Upon a Piinirose bank, where Violet flowers 



Smell sweetly, and the mead 's in bloomy prime. 

 Till Flora's clock the Goatsbeard mark the hours, 



And, closing, says. Arise! tis dinner time; 

 Then dine and driiik and smoke three hours away. 

 And roam 'midst Tulips till the close of day. 



Cattle are usually sent to the pastures before this time ; and the 

 juices of the young springing Grass contribute to render the milk of 

 the Cows more abundant and of a finer quality. 



