Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 27, 1916.djvu/429

 The Folklore of Shakespeai''e. 401

nineteenth century that the froHcs of Jack in the Green died out completely. The selection of a Queen of the May has, however, been partially revived in some places. Shake- speare frequently refers to the May-day and its rites — the May pole, the May dew, and the Morris dance. He also uses the " May-morn " in a metaphoric sense:

" Is in the very May morn of his youth, Ripe for exploits and mighty enterprises."

Henry V. i. 2. 120.

The search for May dew was the first observance of the day :

" Theseus. No doubt, they rose up early to observe

The rite of May." M.N.D. iv. i. 137.

Again, the porter in Heiiiy VIII. (v. 4. 15) says:

" 'Tis as much impossible To scatter 'em as 'tis to make 'em sleep On May-day morning."

Later in the day the morris dancers come upon the scene: "A morris for May -day" {All's Well, ii. 2. 25). Maid Marian, who is spoken of disrespectfully by Falstaff, was queen or " the lady of the May."

The first of May was also the day dedicated to St. Philip and St. James. In Measure for Measure there is a refer- ence to this day :

" A year and a quarter old come Philip and Jacob."

iii. 2. 214. The Dauphin Charles says to Joan of Arc :

" Helen, the mother of great Constantine, Nor yet Saint Philip's daughters, were like thee."

I Henry VI. i. 2. 143.

This contains a reference to Acts of the Apostles (xxi. 9) : "And this same man had four daughters, virgins which did prophesy."