And eke the lusty seson of that May
Made every wight to be, in swiche pleasance," &c.
Why the 3rd of May is particularly mentioned as the time of Palamon's escape, I cannot tell: there is probably some astrological reason. The mixture of astrological notions with mythology is curious: "the pale Saturnus the colde" is once more a dweller on Olympus, and interposes to reconcile Mars and Venus. By his influence Arcite is made to perish after having obtained from Mars the fulfilment of his prayer—
"Yeve me the victorie, I axe thee no more."
ε.
FOLK LORE.
"Snail, Snail, come out of your Hole."—In Surrey, and most probably in other counties where
shell-snails abound, children amuse themselves by charming them with a chant to put forth their horns, of which I have only heard the following couplet, which is repeated until it has the desired effect, to the great amusement of the charmer.
"Snail, snail, come out of your hole,