Note 275 — MENSIS APRILIS.
Reading edition
‘Conversus ad ortus Die quater, et vivo perlue rore manus.’ Ovid may perhaps be using ros for fresh water of any kind; see H. Peter’s note (Pt. II, p. 70). But the virtues of dew are great at this time of year (e. g. May-day). See Brand, Pop. Ant. 218, and Mannhardt, A. W. F. 312. Pepys records that his wife went out to gather May-dew; Diary, May 10. 1669.