Part 7

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On Shrove Tuesday night, though the supper be fat, Before Easter Day thou mayst fast for that.

Isle of Man.

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PANCAKE BELL. (Congleton.)

The housekeeper goes to the huxter's shop, And the eggs are brought home, and there's flop! flop! flop! And there's batter, and butter, and savoury smell, While merrily rings the Pancake Bell.

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So much sun as shineth on Pancake Tuesday, the like will shine every day in Lent.

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A hoar frost, Third day crost, The fourth lost.

Lancs.

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BEAN SOWING.

One for the mouse, one for the crow, One to rot, one to grow.

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Sow peason and beans in the wane of the moone, Who soweth them sooner, he soweth too soon; That they with the planet may rest and rise, And flourish with bearing, most plentiful wise.

Tusser.

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If February gives much snow A fine summer it doth foreshow.

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Now set for thy pot Best herbs to be got, For flowers go set, All sorts ye can get.

Tusser.

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In Oxfordshire the first bee seen in February is saluted, as this is said to bring good luck.

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THRUSH'S SONG.

"Did he do it? Did he do it? Come and see, come and see; Knee deep, knee deep; Cherry sweet, cherry sweet, To me! to me! to me!"

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