(iii. 2) by Lucio: "his use was, to put a ducat in her
clack-dish."[649] The clack or clap dish was a wooden dish with a
movable cover, formerly carried by beggars, which they clacked and
clattered to show that it was empty. In this they received the alms.
Lepers and other paupers deemed infectious originally used it, that the
sound might give warning not to approach too near, and alms be given
without touching the person.

[649] See Singer's "Shakespeare," vol. i. p. 362; Nares's
"Glossary," vol. i. p. 164: Brand's "Pop. Antiq.," 1849, vol.
iii. p. 94.

A popular name for Easter Monday was Black Monday, so called, says
Stow, because "in the 34th of Edward III. (1360), the 14th of April, and
the morrow after Easter Day, King Edward, with his host, lay before the
city of Paris; which day was full dark of mist and hail, and so bitter
cold, that many men died on their horses' backs with the cold. Wherefore
unto this day it hath been call'd the Blacke Monday." Thus, in the
"Merchant of Venice" (ii. 5), Launcelot says, "it was not for nothing
that my nose fell a-bleeding on Black Monday last at six o'clock i' the
morning."

_St. David's Day_ (March 1). This day is observed by the Welsh in honor
of St. David, their patron saint, when, as a sign of their patriotism,
they wear a leek. Much doubt exists as to the origin of this custom.
According to the Welsh, it is because St. David ordered his Britons to
place leeks in their caps, that they might be distinguished from their
Saxon foes. Shakespeare introduces the custom into his play of "Henry
V." (iv. 7), where Fluellen, addressing the monarch, says:

"Your grandfather of famous memory, an't please your majesty,
and your great uncle Edward the Plack Prince of Wales, as I
have read in the chronicles, fought a most prave pattle here
in France.

_K. Henry._ They did, Fluellen.

_Flu._ Your majesty says very true: if your majesties is
remembered of it, the Welshmen did goot service in a garden
where leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps;
which, your majesty know, to this hour is an honourable padge
of the service; and I do pelieve, your majesty takes no scorn
to wear the leek upon Saint Tavy's day."

It has been justly pointed out, however, that this allusion by Fluellen
to the Welsh having worn the leek in battle under the Black Prince is
not, as some writers suppose, wholly decisive of its having ori