“Where’s the Fantasticks for March?” I’ve been away but here it is, it’s all right.
Fantasticks is the weird collection of gnomic observation by Nicholas Breton (1554-1626). They are not in print.
Anyway, in March, Breton seems more dream-laden and careless than ever.
MARCH
It is now March, and the Northerne wind dryeth up the Southerne durt: The tender Lippes are now maskt for feare of chapping, and the faire hands must not be ungloved: now riseth the Sunne a pretty step to his faire height, and Saint Valentine calls the birds together, where Nature is pleased in the varietie of love: the Fishes and the Frogs fall to their manner of generation, and the Adder dyes to bring forth her young: the Ayre is is sharpe, but the Sunne is comfortable, and the hay beginnes to lengthen: The forward Gardens give the fine Sallets, and a Nosegay of Violets is a present for a Lady: Now beginneth Nature (as it were) to wake out of her sleepe, and sends the Traveller to survey the walkes of the World: the sucking Rabbit is good for weake stomackes, and the dyet for the Rhume doth many a great Cure: The Farrier now is the horses Physitian, and the fat Dog feeds the Faulcon in the Mew: the Tree begins to bud, and the grasse to peepe abroad, while the Thrush with the Black-bird make a charme in the young Springs: the Milke-mayd with her best beloved, walke away wearinesse to the Market, and in an honest meaning, kind words doe no hurt: the Foot-ball now tryeth the legges of strength, and merry matches continue good fellowship: It is time of much worke, and tedious to discourse of: but in all I find of it, I thus conclude in it: I hold it the Servant of Nature, and the Schole-master of Art: the hope of labour, and the Subject of Reason.
Farewell.
Boadicea's Chariot 
What phrases! “…walke away wearinesse…”. “…the Foot-ball tryeth the legges of strength….”. “…worke…the Servant of Nature…Schole-master of Art: the hope of labour, and the Subject of Reason.” 🙂
I find him spot on. As someone myself who lives very close to the earth and it’s seasons I find his comments all too true.
We have had some nice sunny days of late and both of us have been out gardening. I note I am using lip balm and hand cream every night. The sun is up far earlier over the mountain in the morning. The crows and eagles are very vocal having been dancing for each other, mates are picked, territories established and nests built. We have a lot of very tall cottonwoods on the stream that appear to be desirable residencies. He is dead right, the air is sharp but the sun comfortable, one does not want to work in the shade after 3pm! The violets are flowering and we had salad leaves this week from outside the greenhouse. One does totter about a bit too, the lack of activity over the winter makes the stirring of the stumps a bit gruelling when getting back into more vigorous jobs definitely a case of the rheum! We both remarked on it this week after 5 hours in the garden, positively knackered!
I have not quoted to the ‘supervisors’ that fat dogs are fed to falcons! Oh dear that would be a canine social solecism quite beyond. After all who would be left to guard against neighbouring cows, goats, cats, firemen, builders and innocent bypassers? All are active and need to be barked at!
LW you missed my pyromaniacs delight being away, check it out for entertainment value and barkability!!
Hope your trip was good?
Christina, you are the Breton of the modern era. Must be the Celtic connection?
Morning Mrs. O. I did get to read your tale regarding the local burning issue before I departed and a fine one it was. Our paramedics usually also arrive in full firefighters dress. (Fearful of encountering a bad case of spontaneous combustion perhaps?)
LW – if I have not said so before , I really do appreciate you putting these up. As you say, they are not in print, and are both delightful and informative.
PPG: Thank you, it’s a pleasure for me. I enjoy Breton’s view of his world. After 400 years there is often something new (but old) to be found in there.