with a cloth, if possible, one which is afterwards presented to the girl whom
he seeks, while he says
"Me jiuklo, yoy jiukli,
Yoy tover, me pori,
Me kokosh, yoy cátrá,
Ádá, ádá, me kamáv!""I the dog, she the bitch,
I the helve, she the axe,
I the cock (and) she the hen,
That, that I desire!"He or she who finds a red ribbon, tape, or even a piece of red stuff of any
kind, especially if it be wool, will have luck in love. It must be picked up
and carried as an amulet, and when raising it from the ground the finder
must make a wish for the love of some person, or if he have no particular
desire for any one, he may wish for luck in love, or a sweetheart. This is, I
believe, pretty generally known in some form all over the world. A yellow
ribbon or flower, especially if it be floating on water, presages gold; a white
object, silver, or peace or reconciliation with enemies.
It is also lucky for love to find a key. In Tuscany there is a special
formula which must be spoken while picking it up. Very old keys are
valuable amulets. Those who carry them will learn secrets, penetrate
mysteries, and succeed in what they undertake.
If you can get a shoe which a girl has worn you may make sad havoc
with her heart if you carry it near your own. Also hang it up over your bed
and put into it the leaves of rue.
The gypsy girls of Transylvania believe that spells to 'know your future
husband' can be best carried out on the eves of certain days, such as New
Year, Easter, and Saint George. 'On New Year's Eve they throw shoes or
boots on a willow tree, but are only allowed to throw them nine times.'
Compare this with the throwing of the old shoe after the bride in many
countries. 'If the shoe catches in the branches the girl who threw it will be
married within a year.'
"'Per de, per de prájtina,
Varckaj hin, hász kâmav?
Basá, párro dzsiuklo,
Pirano dzsâl mai szigo.'"'Scattered leaves around I see,
Where can my true lover be?