CHAP. 10. 1. ANTIQUITIES, &e. 281 



ing up the churches with candles, in honour 

 of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin 

 Mary, is well known ; and I find, by consult- 



The scarlet Lychnis the garden's pride, 



Flames at ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S tide. 



Against ST. SWITHIN'S hastie Showers, 



The Lilly white reigns queen of the Flowers ; 



And Poppies a sanguine mantle spread, 



For the blood of the Dragon ST. MARGARET shed. 



Then, under the wanton Rose, agen, 



That blushes for penitent MAGDALEN. 



Till Lammas Day, called August's Wheel, 



When the long Corn stinks of Camomile. 



When MARY left us here below, 



The Virgin's Bower begins to blow ; 



Arid yet anon the full Sunflower blew, 



And became a Star for BARTHOLOMEW. 



The Passion Flower long has blowed 



To betoken us signs of the HOLY ROOD. 



The Michaelmas Daisy, amonge dead weeds, 



Blooms for ST. MICHAEL'S valorous deeds, 



And seems the last of flowers that stood 



Till the Feast of ST. SIMON and ST. JUDE, 



Save Mushrooms and the Fungus race, 



That grow as ALLHALLOWTIDE takes place. 



Soon the evergreen Laurel alone is seen, 



When CATHERINE crowns all learned men. 



Then Ivy and Holy Berries are seen, 



And YULE CLOG and WASSAIL come round again. 



A nt hoi. Austr. ct Bor. 



