Halcyon Days
The phrase "Halcyon Days," so suggestive of peace, happiness, and prosperity, is derived from a fable. The ancient Sicilians believed that during the seven days preceding, and the seven days following the winter solstice (Dec. 21st) the halcyon or kingfisher brooded over her young in a floating nest upon the surface of the water, and that during that period the seas were calm and could be safely navigated by the mariner, hence they called them "halcyon days;"-when according to Milton "Birds of a color sat brooding on the charmed wave." So Dryden says:--
As halcyons brooding on a winter sea."
Analogous to halcyon days is our Indian summer. This season before Indians were known was called St. Martin's summer, as coming near that saint's day, which was Nov. 11th. So Shakespeare says, "Expect St. Martin's summer halcyon days."