Nature Inspirations for February 2020 include: Nature Poem: Ceremonies for Candlemasse Eve, Robert Herrick (1591-1674) and Nature Painting: St. Jerome in a Landscape, Battista Dossi (Battista di Luteri) (1548)

Nature Poem

Ceremonies for Candlemasse Eve

Robert Herrick (1591-1674)

Down with the Rosemary and Bayes,

Down with the Mistleto;

In stead of Holly, now up-raise

The greener Box (for show).

Holly hitherto did sway;

Let Box now domineere;

Untill the dancing Easter-day,

Or Easters Eve appeare.

Then youthfull Box which now hath grace,

Your houses to renew;

Grown old, surrender must his place,

Unto the crisped Yew.

When Yew is out, then Birch comes in,

And many Flowers beside;

Both of a fresh, and fragrant kinne

To honour Whitsontide.

Green Rushes then, and sweetest Bents,

With cooler Oken boughs;

Come in for comely ornaments,

To re-adorn the house.

Thus times do shift; each thing his turne do's hold;

New things succeed, as former things grow old.

Nature Painting

St. Jerome in a Landscape, Battista Dossi (Battista di Luteri), 1548