A PRAYER AGAINST THE PLAGUE
"O Star of Heaven, beloved of the Lord, drive away time foul
constellation that has slain the people with the wound of dreadful death. O
Star of time Sea, save us from the poison-breath that kills, from the enemy
that slays in the night. AMEN."
BLESSING
"O aged old woman of the grey locks, may eight hundred blessings
twelve times over be on thee! Mayest thou be free from desolation, O
woman. of the aged frame! And may many tears fall on thy grave."
A CURE FOR CATTLE
Take nine leaves of the male crowfoot, plucked on a Sunday night; bruise
them on a stone tht never was moved since the world began, and never can
be moved. Mix with salt and spittle, and apply the plaster to the ear of the
sick beast. Repeat this three times for a man, and twice for a horse.
A CHARM FOR SAFETY
Pluck ten blades of yarrow, keep nine, and cast the tenth away for tithe
to the spirits. Put the nine in your stocking, under the heel of the right foot,
when going a journey, and the Evil One will have no power over you.
AN ELIXIR OF POTENCY
(From a Manuscript of Date 1770)Two ounces of cochineal, one ounce of gentian root, two drachms of
saffron, two drachms of snakeroot, two drachms of salt of wormwood, and
the rind of ten oranges, The whole to be steeped in a quart of brandy, and
kept for use.
FOR THE BITE OF A MAD DOG
Six ounces of rue, four ounces of garlic, two ounces of Venice treacle, and
two ounces of pewter filings. Boil for two hours in a close vessel, in two