[21] The "Shepheards Calender" recites how, in the month of May,
Youngthes folke now flocken in every where,
To gather May-buskets and smelling brere;
And home they hasten the postes to dight,
And all the kirk-pillours eare day-light,
With hawthorn buds, and sweete eglantine,
And girlonds of roses, and soppes in wine.
"Sops in wine" are said to be pinks.
[22] See Nos. 23, 26, and 160.
[23] "In summer season howe doe the moste part of our yong men and maydes in earely rising and getting themselves into the fieldes at dauncing! What foolishe toyes shall not a man see among them!"—"Northbrooke's Treatise," 1577.
As I have seen the lady of the May
Set in an arbour (on a holy-day)
Built by the May-pole.
—Wm. Browne.
[25] In Cincinnati.
[26] The same Greek word, kora, signifies maiden and doll.