CHAP. 4. 8. OP PROGNOSTICKS. 171 



When the clouds are upon the hills, they'll come 

 , down by the rills. 



Winter's thunder, and summer's flood, 



Never boded Englishman good. 



If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, 



Winter will have another flight : 



If on Candlemas Day it be shower and rain, 



Winter is gone, and will not come again. 



If St. Paul's Day be faire and cleere, 

 It doth betide a happie yeere. 



I insert in conclusion the well known rules 

 of the Shepherd of Banbury : 

 If the sun rise red and fiery, wind and rain.* 

 If cloudy and it soon decrease, certain fair 

 weather. 



Clouds small and round, like a dapple grey 

 with a North wind, fair weather for two or 

 three days. 



Large clouds like rocks, forebode great showers. 



If small clouds increase, much rain. 



If large clouds decrease, fair weather. 



Mists, if they rise in low ground and soon 

 vanish, fair weather. 



* The same is observed of the Moon, of whose three several 

 indications the adage says, 



Pallida luna pluit, rubicunda flat, alba serenat. 



