The Folklore of Shakespeare. 399
In the next act Gower asks Fluellen :
" Why wear you your leek to-day % Saint Davy's Day is past."
It was long past, for the battle of Agincourt was fought on October 25th. Shakespeare does not appear to have remembered the date of St. David's Day. It is not clear why the leek should have been worn at Crecy, as the battle was fought on August 26th. Perhaps it was worn to mark the large number of Welshmen present, which was esti- mated to be one thousand.
17. St. Patrick's Day. — Hamlet swears by St. Patrick (i. 5. 136), and some commentators have supposed that Richard II. alluded to the tradition that St. Patrick freed Ireland from venomous reptiles of all kinds when he said :
" Now for our Irish wars : We must supplant those rough rug-headed kerns Which live like venom, where no venom else, But only they, hath privilege to live." ii. i. 155.
April.
" Proteus. O how this spring of love resembleth The uncertain glory of an April day, Which now shows all the beauty of the sun, And by and by a cloud takes all away."
T7V0 Gentlemen, ii. i. 84.
23. St. Georges Day. The great national festival of England's patron saint has been increased in importance by its recognition as the anniversary of the death day of Shakespeare himself. " God and St. George," " St. George, forward," and " Upon them, St. George," were conquering battle-cries. Henry V. calls to his men :
"Cry 'God for Harry, England, and St. George!'"
iii. I. 34.
