304 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



Resembling much the sunney that from 



the Heavens downe should fal, 

 A strange and monstrous sight it seemes, 



and fearefuU to them all : 

 But they suppose their mischiefes all 



are hkewise throvvne to hell, 

 And from harmes and daungers now, 



in saftie here they dwell.*'* 



Young women were in the habit, and still are, of ^< trying 

 their fortunes," on mid-summer's eve, and by superstitious 

 processes summoned to their presence the shades of their fu- 

 ture husbands. Gay, in one of his pastorals, alludes to this 

 custom. 



** At eve last mid-summer no sleep I sought, 

 But to the field a bag of hemp-seed brought ; 

 I scattered round the seed on every side, 

 And three times in a trembling accent cried:— 

 * This hemp-seed with my virgin hand I sow, 

 Who shall my true love be, the crop shall mow.' 

 I straight looked back, and if my eyes speak truth. 

 With his keen scythe behind me came the youth." 



The following translation of a ballad, sung by the maidens 

 on the Guadalquivir, when they go forth to gather flowers on 

 the morning of St. John, describes the custom observed in 

 Spain. 



Come forth, come forth, my maidens, 'tis the eve of good St. John, 



It is the Baptist's morning that breaks the hills upon ; 



And let us all go forth together, while the blessed day is new, 



To dress with flowers the snow-white wether, ere the sun has dried the dew. 



Come forth, come forth, &c. 



Come forth, come forth, my maidens, the hedgerows all are green } 

 And the little birds are singing the opening leaves between ; 

 And let us all go forth together, to gather trefoil by the stream, 

 E'er the face of Guadalquiver glows beneath the strengthening beam. 



Come forth, come forth, &c. 



Every Day Book, p. 846. 



