¶Of Maye. Cap. 13.
THe fifth month is Madius or Maius, May: and hath that name Maye, of Maia the mother of Mercurius. Or he hath that name Maius of Maioribus, the more worthy & gretest of Romanes: or he hath that name Madius of Ma∣defactione, wetting and moysting of cayne: for in that time the starres arise that be called Pliades and Hiades, and other rainye starres: and by vertue of them commeth raine and deawe to wet and moyst and bespring séedes that bée sowen. Among the Hebrewes, this mo∣neth is called Starba••, and among the Gréekes he is called Antimoseos, and hath xxx. dayes, and his night is eight houres, and his daye xvi. And Maye is a time of mirth, of loue, of gladnesse, and of lyking: for most in Maye birdes sing and make ioye, and then Kings go forth to warre and to make battailes. In May woodes wexe greene, Medowes spring & flourish, and well nigh all things, the which be alyue, be moued to ioye and to loue, and therefore it is sayd, that in the middle of May the sunne commeth into the signe that is called Gemini: For then is temperatenesse of aire & mirth, and liking is doubled among men, for Maye is a time of solace and of lyking. Therefore it is painted lyke a young man riding, and bearing a fowle on his hande.