Part 18

"Twighee, twighee! There's not a shoemaker in all the world can make a shoe for me." "Why so? Why so?" "Because my heel's as long as my toe."

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Sweet April, smiling through her tears, Shakes raindrops from her hair and disappears.

MAY

Ancient Cornish name: Miz-me, flowery month.

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Jewel for the month: Emerald. Discovers false friends.

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Lo, the young month comes, all smiling, up this way.

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The Irish say that fire and salt are the two most sacred things given to man, and if you give them away on May Day you give away your luck for the year.

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The fair maid, who, the first of May, Goes to the fields at break of day, And washes in dew from the hawthorn tree, Will ever after handsome be.

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It is unlucky to go on the water the first Monday in May.

Irish saying.

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Whoever is ill in the month of May, For the rest of the year will be healthy and gay.

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Leave cropping from May To Michaelmas Day.

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The last year's leaf, its time is brief Upon the beechen spray; The green bud springs, the young bird sings, Old leaf, make room for May: Begone, fly away, Make room for May.

Oh, green bud, smile on me awhile; Oh, young bird, let me stay: What joy have we, old leaf, in thee? Make room, make room for May: Begone, fly away, Make room for May.

Henry Taylor.

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There are twelve months in all the year, As I hear many say, But the merriest month in all the year Is the merry month of May.

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They who bathe in May Will soon be laid in clay; They who bathe in June Will sing another tune.