FEBRUARY 



' And lastly came cold February, sitting 

 In an old wagon, for he coud not ride, 

 Drawne of two fishes for the season fitting, 

 Which through the flood before did softly slyde 

 And swim away ; yet had he by his side 

 His plough and harnass fit to till the ground, 

 And tools to prune the trees, before the pride 

 Of hasting Prime did make them burgein round. 

 So past the twelve months forth, and their dew places found.' 



SPENSER, Mutabilitie. 



' O quick praevernal power 



That signalled punctual through the sleepy mould 

 The snowdrop's time to flower. 



Oh, Baby spring, 



That flutterest sudden 'neath the breast of earth 



A month before the birth.' 



COVENTRY PATMORE, Saint Valentines Day. 



THE COUNTRY CALENDAR 



FEBRUARY is almost the coldest and the driest month in the year, 

 though it is called Fill-Dyke. Coventry Patmore and Spenser repre- 

 sent the two views. The longer days begin to bring a hundred indi- 

 cations of spring. Especially noticeable, though little noticed, is the 

 flower of the elm and wych-elm, and many other trees. Birds sing 

 and build, leaves bud, a few insects and hibernating animals appear, 

 and sowing begins in farms and in gardens. Marsham recorded the 

 leafing of hornbeam on February 8th 



2 B 



