The Conversion of St. Paul.
This is a festival in the calendar of the church of England, as well as in that of the Romish church.
St. Paul’s Day.
On this day prognostications of the months were drawn for the whole year. If fair and clear, there was to be plenty; if cloudy or misty, much cattle would die; if rain or snow fell then it presaged a dearth; and if windy, there would be wars:
If Saint Paul’s Day be fair and clear.
It does betide a happy year;
But if it chance to snow or rain,
Then will be dear all kinds of grain;
If clouds or mists do dark the skie,
Great store of birds and beasts shall die;
And if the winds do fly aloft,
Then wars shall vex the kingdome oft.
Willsford’s Nature’s Secrets.
These prognostications are Englished from an ancient calendar: they have likewise been translated by Gay, who enjoins,
Let no such vulgar tales debase thy mind,
Nor Paul nor Swithin rule the clouds and wind.
The latter lines are allusive to the popular superstitions, regarding these days, which were before remarked by bishop Hall, who observes of a person under such influences, that “St. Paule’s day, and St. Swithine’s, with the twelve, are his oracles, which he dares believe against the almanacke.” It will be recollected that “the twelve” are twelve days of Christmastide, mentioned on a preceding day as believed by the ignorant to denote the weather throughout the year.