E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Snowdrop (The).
Tickell’s fable is that King Albion’s son fell in love with Kenna, daughter of Oberon, but Oberon in anger drove the lover out of fairyland. Albion’s son brought an army to avenge the indignity, and was slain. Kenna
applied the herb moly to the wounds, hoping to restore life; but the moment the juice of the herb touched the dead body it was converted into a snowdrop. Called the Fair Maid of February.
