J. F. Campbell Collection > Popular rhymes of Scotland

146 POPULAR RHYMES OF SCOTLAND.
heat in May hastens the ripening of the victual, though it
may be prematurely : —
March dust, and May sun,
Makes corn -white, and maidens dim.
So alleges a Perthshire rhyme, which, however, is varied in
the Mearns —
March water, and May sim.
Makes claes clear, and maidens dim.
The explanation of this is, that water in the month of
March is supposed to be of a more cleansing quality than
in any other month, as expressed in a proverb in that
county — March water is worth May soaj).
It may be added that in Clydesdale they say —
March dust, and March's win'.
Bleaches as weel as simmer's sun.
There is another ungracious rhyme about the favourite
month of the poets —
TiU May be out.
Change na a clout :
That is, thin not your winter clothing till the end of May —
a good maxim, if we are to put faith in the great father of
modem medicine, Boerhaave, who, on being consulted as to
the proper time for putting off flannel, is said to have an-
swered, ' On midsummer night, and — put it on again next
morning ! ' In Scotland, the rule for household fires is —
All the months with an r in them.
This may be the most proper place to introduce a rhyme
expressive of the different sensations which attend similar
experiences when they are new and when they are old —
The Lentren even's lang and teuch.
But the hau'st even tumbles owre the heuch.
The evening in harvest is of the same length as in Lent, but
passes more quickly to appearance, from being a greater
novelty.
THE MOOX.
Saturday's change, and Sunday's piime,
Is eneugh in seven years' time.