ST. DAVID'S DAY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3035, 23 March 1917, Page 3

ST. DAVID'S DAY

THE LEEK—THE EMBLEM OF WALES A MARCH FANTASY (By "Martin Hambleton," in the Brisbane "Mail.") Probably everyone has heard that on St." Tavy's Day (March 1) all good Welshmen wear tho leek; but I doubt if everyone knows tho reason why, _or if anyone can go beyond a supposition on tho ■ subjeot. According to one writer,' the custom arose in Druidic timeß, and the. plant was a symbol of Coudoven, the British Ceres, Brady in the "Clavis Calendarea" affirms that the custom of wearing the leek on St. David's Day is derived from St. David, who, according to him, caused tlia Britons under King Cadwallader to distinguish themselves from their enemies during a great battle, wherein they conquered the Saxons, by virtue of his prayers and that regulation. Unfortunately,. this cannot be substantiated by fact, although several-of the poets refer to this tradition. The Cambria of Rolf, 1759, states :— "Traditions Tale Recounting tells how famed Menevia'e priest Marshalled his Britons, and the Saxon host,' Discomfited; how the green leek his bands Distinguished since by - Britons , annual worn, Commemorates their tutelary' saint." Also, inthe "Diverting Post," 1705, the following lines occur: — "Why, on St. David's Day do Welshmen seek To beautify their hat with verdant •leek, Of nauseous smell? For honour 'tis ' hearsay, "Duloe ct decorum est pro patrea." Right sir, to die or fight it is, I think, But hoy; is't "dulce" when you for it stink. . . Shakespeare, in his King Henry V, introduces this custom of the Welsh wearing leeks on St. David's Day. Enter Pistol to King Henry. Pistol: Qui va la? K. Henry: A friend. ' P. : What's thy name? K.H.: Harry le Roy. P.: A Cornish name; art thou of Cornish crew? K.H.: No; I am a Welshman. P.: Knowst thou' Fluellen ?

P.: Tell liim I'll knock his leek about his pate upon St. David's Day. It is again referred to in a dialogue between Henry V and Fluellen:— Fluellen: Your grandfather of famous memory, an't please your Majesty, and your great ufible, Edward the Black Prince, as I have read in these chronicles, fought a most brave battle hero in France. K. Henry: They did, Fluellen. Fluellen: Your Majesty says very true. If your Majesty is_ Tememhered of it, the Welshman did go service in a garden where leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps; which, your Majesty knows, is an honourable badge of the service, and I do believe, your Majesty, takes no scorn to wear,the leek on St. David's Day. The national peculiarity was ridiculed by the English in the olden times, and the custom was severely satired by tlie poets. . ■ "Poor Robin's Almanao" of 1757 says, under the 'month of' March: — "The first of the month some do keep. For honest Taff to wear his leek; Whose patrin was, they, 6ay, of Wales, And 6ince that time outs-plutter-a-nails. Along the street this day goes strut, With hur green leek Btruck in bur hat. An'd if hur meet a shentleman, Salutes in Welsh; and'if hur can Discourse in Welsh, then hur shall be Among the Green-horned Taffys free." The lines that immediately succeed the above, and follow • below, are a versified record of- publio violence' to the Welsh character, which Englishmen in this day will receive with surprise:— "For it would make a stranger laugh To see the' English hang poor Taff; A pair of brecches and a coat, Hat, shoes, and stockings, and what not? All stuffed with hay to represent The Cambrian hero thereby meant, With sword sometimes three inches broad, And other armour made of wood. They drag hur to some publict tree, And hang/hur up in effigy." The keeping of & r t. David's Day received Royal patronage for ages. We read that even Henry VII, who was ever-sparing in his expenditure, distributed two pounds among Welshmen on their saint's anniversary; and the Yeomen of the King's guard nevor failed to receive the noble gift of 15s. for bringing' a leek to Princess Mary on this *day. The' fact is mentioned in the household expenses of her Grace for the year 1544. ~ Nusson, referring to the custom of wearing the leek; mentions that His Majesty William 111 generally paraded with his Welsh subjects on that day. 'Yesterday, says- "The Flying Post" (1699) being St. David's Day, the .King, according;to his custom, wore a leek in honour of the ancient Britons, the samo being presented to him by the sergeant porter, whose place it is, and for which he claims the olothes His Majesty wore that day 'tho courtiers, in imitation of His Majesty, wore leeks also. . It has been humorously, suggested that the Welsh adopted] that leek as a badge out of gratitude to the vegetable which was so agreeable an accompaniment to the national toasted cheese; and without doubt this vegetable appears to .have been a favourite dish with Welshmen as far back as we can trace in history. Caxton's ' "Description of Wales," speaking of the "Maners and Rytes of the Welshan," saye:— "Thoy hive gruell to portage, ; And leeks kyrde to companage." And also: "Atte Meete, and after eke, Her solace is salt and leek." AVorledgo also refers to the love of the Welsh for this food: — .. *'I have- seen the greatest .part of a garden there stored with leeks and part of the remainder with onions and gar--i lie." . ; ! Owen,- in his "Cambrian Biograph, 1803, states that the symbol of _ the leek, a tribute to St. David, originated from the custom of Cymhortha, when the farmers, assisting each.other in .ploughing, brought their Jceks to aid the common repast. ■ . But,in whatever manner these opinions may be treated by learned nistorians, it is Certain that the rose, thistle, and shamrock -are not more honoured in the countries which t have adopted them as emblems than is, in the Principality, the odoros pot herb of which one lias declared: — "I like the leeke above all herbes and flowers, ' • When first we wore the same the held was ours, The leeke is ivhito and green, whereby is ment ; That' Britains are both stout and eminent, Next to the Lion and Hie Unicorn, The lenkc- Cue fairest omblvn that is worn."