Richard Edwards. 1523.
Among the ancient manuscripts in the British Museum there is one of Saxon origin, written by Ethelgar, a writer of some note in the tenth century. Commenting on the months, he speaks of February, which he calls Sprout kele, because colewort, a kind of cabbage, which was the chief sustenance of the husbandmen in those days, began to yield wholesome young sprouts during this month. Some centuries after, this name was modernized by the Romans, who offered their expiatory sacrifices at this season of the year, and called Februalia. Frequently during this month the cold is abated for a short time, and fine days and hasty thaws take the place of rigid frost. From this peculiarity, this month has often been called by ancient writers by the expressive name of “February fill dike.”
Clare’s verses are sweetly descriptive of this changing season —
The snow has left the cottage top;
The thatch moss grows in brighter green;
And eaves in quick succession drop,
Where pinning icicles have been;
Pitpatting with a pleasant noise,
In tubs set by the cottage door;
While ducks and geese, with happy joys,