March 1.
St. David’s Day.
To the particulars connected with this anniversary, related in vol. i. p. 317-322, may be added that Coles, in his “Adam in Eden,” says, concerning leeks, “The gentlemen in Wales have them in great regard, both for their feeding, and to wear in their hats upon St. David’s day.”
It is affirmed in the “Royal Apophthegms” of James I., that “the Welchmen in commemoration of the Great Fight by the Black Prince of Wales, do wear Leeks as their chosen ensign.”
Mr. Brand received through the late Mr. Jones, Welsh bard to the king, as prince of Wales, a transcript of the following lines from a MS. in the British Museum.
I like the leeke above all herbes and flowers.
When first we wore the same the feild was ours.
The leeke is white and greene, wherby is ment
That Britaines are both stout and eminent;
Next to the lion and the unicorn,
The leeke’s the fairest emblyn that is worne.
Harl. MS. 1977.
The bishop’s “Last Good Night,” a single sheet satire, dated 1642, has a stanza which runs thus:—
“Landaff, provide for St. David’s day,
Lest the leeke, and red-herring run away:
Are you resolved to go or stay?
You are called for, Landaff:
Come in, Landaff.”
There is the following proverb on this day:—
“Upon St. David’s day, put oats and barley in the clay.”
Ray.