Thus March's winds have caused April showers,
And yet sad May must lose her flower of flowers."
C. W. B.
DERIVATION OF MAWMET.—CAME.
(Vol. viii., pp. 468. 515.)
That the word mawmet is a derivation from the name of Mahomet, is rendered exceedingly probable by two circumstances taken in connexion: its having been in common use to signify an idol, in the age immediately following that of the Crusades; and the fact, that in the public opinion and phraseology of that time, a Saracen and an idolater were synonymous. In the metrical romances of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, Mahometanism is described as "hethenesse," and Saracens as "paynims," "heathens," and "folks of the heathen law." The objects of their faith and worship were supposed to be Mahomet, Jupiter, Apollo, Pluto, and Termagaunt. Thus, in the romance of Richard Cœur de Lion:
"They slowe euery Sarezyn,
And toke the temple of Apolyn."—L. 4031-2.
"That we our God Mahoun forsake."—L. 4395.