Vervain
: SUPERSITITIONS: Popular Rhymes And Nursery Tales
The herb vervain was formerly held of great efficacy against witchcraft,
and in various diseases. Sir W. Scott mentions a popular rhyme, supposed
to be addressed to a young woman by the devil, who attempted to seduce
her in the shape of a handsome young man:
Gin you wish to be leman mine,
Leave off the St. John's wort and the vervine.
By his repugnance to these sacred plants, his
cloven foot. Many ceremonies were used in gathering it. "You must
observe," says Gerard, "Mother Bumbies rules to take just so many knots
or sprigs, and no more, least it fall out so that it do you no good, if
you catch no harme by it; many odde olde wives' fables are written of
vervaine, tending to witchcraft and sorcerie, which you may reade
elsewhere, for I am not willing to trouble your eares with reporting
such trifles as honest eares abhorre to heare." An old English poem on
the virtue of herbs, of the fourteenth century, says:
As we redyn, gaderyd most hym be
With iij. pater-noster and iij. ave,
Fastand, thow the wedir be grylle,
Be-twen mydde March and mydde Aprille,
And [gh]et awysyd moste the be,
That the sonne be in ariete.
A magical MS. in the Chetham Library at Manchester, of the time of Queen
Elizabeth, furnishes us with a poetical prayer used in gathering this
herb:
All hele, thou holy herb vervin,
Growing on the ground;
In the mount of Calvary
There was thou found;
Thou helpest many a greife,
And stenchest many a wound.
In the name of sweet Jesus,
I take thee from the ground.
O Lord, effect the same
That I doe now goe about.
The following lines, according to this authority, were to be said when
pulling it:
In the name of God, on Mount Olivet
First I thee found;
In the name of Jesus
I pull thee from the ground.
Two hogsheads full of money were concealed in a subterraneous vault at
Penyard Castle, in Herefordshire. A farmer undertook to drag them from
their hiding-place, a matter of no small difficulty, for they were
protected by preternatural power. To accomplish his object, he took
twenty steers to draw down the iron doors of the vault in which the
hogsheads were deposited. The door was partially opened, and a jackdaw
was seen perched on one of the casks. The farmer was overjoyed at the
prospect of success, and as soon as he saw the casks, he exclaimed, "I
believe I shall have it." The door immediately closed with a loud clang,
and a voice in the air exclaimed--
Had it not been
For your quicken-tree goad,
And your yew-tree pin,
You and your cattle
Had all been drawn in!
The belief that the quicken-tree is of great efficacy against the power
of witches is still in force in the North of England. The yew-tree was
formerly employed in witchcraft, a practice alluded to in Macbeth:
Liver of blaspheming Jew,
Gall of goats, and slips of yew,
Sliver'd in the moon's eclipse.
More
-
Tom Was A Piper's Son
Tom, Tom was a piper's son, He learned to play when he was young, And all the tune that he could play Was "Over the hills and far away." Over the hills, and a great way off, The wind will blow my top-knot off. ... Tom-tit-tot
Once upon a time there was a woman and she baked five pies. But when they came out of the oven they were over-baked, and the crust was far too hard to eat. So she said to her daughter: "Daughter," says she, "put them pies on to the shelf and lea... Tommy And His Sister And Their New Pony-cart
BY DEWITT CLINTON FALLS Tommy took his sister out in their new pony-cart for a ride. They met a little friend very soon, and asked her to ride, too. Then Billie came along and of course they had to invite him. But they had forgotten how fat... Tommy Linn
Tommy Linn is a Scotchman born, His head is bald and his beard is shorn; He has a cap made of a hare skin, An alderman is Tommy Linn. Tommy Linn has no boots to put on, But two calves' skins, and the hair it w... Torre Jeppe
In a church-nave a specter sat night by night, and the specter's name was Torre Jeppe. He was a dried-up corpse that could not decay. One night three tailors were working at a farmstead in the neighborhood. They were laughing and joking, and among... Totems
<p>A Totem is a simple form used as the emblem or symbol of a man, a group of men, an animal, or an idea; it does not use or refer to words or letters, so it is the same in all languages. Unlike the blaze it does not depend on its position for part o... Touch And Sight
Twist the forefinger over the middle finger and touch a small ball with them, so that it may roll between the two fingers, and shut your eyes. You will think that there are two balls. Open your eyes,--and you will see that it is one ball. The fing... Tracks And The Stories They Tell
<div> <img src="/images/i155.png" alt="Tracks, and the Stories They Tell" title="Tracks, and the Stories They Tell" height="400" width="284" /> Tracks, and the Stories They Tell </div> <p>Sometimes, in town, just after rain, when the gutters are wet, a... Trade-last
BY LUCY FITCH PERKINS "My frock is green." "My frock is blue." "You look pretty." "So do you." ... Training For The Presidency
BY ORISON SWETT MARDEN "I meant to take good care of your book, Mr. Crawford," said the boy, "but I've damaged it a good deal without intending to, and now I want to make it right with you. What shall I do to make it good?" "Why, what happened ... Travels Of A Fox
ADAPTED BY CECILIA FARWELL The Fox was digging under an old tree and found a bumblebee. He gathered it up and put it into his bag and tied the string. Then he went to the first cottage at the end of the village street and said: "Good morning, G... Tritill Litill And The Birds
Once upon a time there lived a princess who was so beautiful and so good that everybody loved her. Her father could hardly bear her out of his sight, and he almost died of grief when, one day, she disappeared, and though the whole kingdom was search... Trot And Cap'n Bill
"Nobody," said Cap'n Bill solemnly, "ever sawr a mermaid an' lived to tell the tale." "Why not?" asked Trot, looking earnestly up into the old sailor's face. They were seated on a bench built around a giant acacia tree that grew just at the ... Trot Lives To Tell The Tale
Aquareine was thoughtful for a time. Then she drew from her finger a ring, a plain gold band set with a pearl of great value, and gave it to the little girl. "If at any period of your life the mermaids can be of service to you, my dear," she sa... Trot Trot The Baby Goes
BY MARY F. BUTTS Every evening Baby goes Trot, trot, to town-- Across the river, through the fields, Up hill and down. Trot, trot, the Baby goes, Up hill and down, To buy a feather for her hat, ... Trotty Veck And His Daughter Meg
"TROTTY" seems a strange name for an old man, but it was given to Toby Veck because of his always going at a trot to do his errands; for he was a ticket porter or messenger and his office was to take letters and messages for people who were in too... Trusty John
Once upon a time there was an old king who was so ill that he thought to himself, "I am most likely on my death-bed." Then he said, "Send Trusty John to me." Now Trusty John was his favorite servant, and was so called because all his life he had ... Truth and the Traveler
A WAYFARING MAN, traveling in the desert, met a woman standing alone and terribly dejected. He inquired of her, "Who art thou?" "My name is Truth," she replied. "And for what cause," he asked, "have you left the city to dwell alone here in the wil... Twelfth-night
The following verses are said to be in some way or other connected with the amusements of this festival. They refer probably to the choosing the king and the queen on Twelfth-night: Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, lavender's green, When... Twins
BY LUCY FITCH PERKINS Here's a baby! Here's another! A sister and her infant brother. Which is which 'tis hard to tell, But "mother" knows them very well. ... Two Hero-stories Of The Civil War
BY BEN LA BREE (ADAPTED) I. BRAVERY HONORED BY A FOE In a rifle-pit, on the brow of a hill near Fredericksburg, were a number of Confederate soldiers who had exhausted their ammunition in the vain attempt to check the advancing column of Hooker... Two In A Sack
What a life that poor man led with his wife, to be sure! Not a day passed without her scolding him and calling him names, and indeed sometimes she would take the broom from behind the stove and beat him with it. He had no peace or comfort at all, ... Two Little Blackbirds
There were two blackbirds sitting on a hill, (Little pieces of paper perched on forefingers.) One named Jack, the other named Jill. Fly away, Jack; fly away, Jill. (Fingers soar gently in the ... Two Little Hands
Two little hands so soft and white, This is the left--this is the right. Five little fingers stand on each, So I can hold a plum or a peach. But if I should grow as old as you Lots of little things these hands can do.... Two Little Plants
Look at this lovely little plant with its pretty bright leaves and beautiful pink blossoms. Well may we ask what makes the little plant so healthy, strong, and pretty. It is a delight to the eye. Now here is another little plant. It belongs to t... Two Little Windows
In every house there is a window. Some houses have many windows to let in the bright sunshine and the pure fresh air, and to let us see from within the glorious world on the outside. I am going to tell you of some houses that have only two windo... Two Mills
Come, children, listen to the story Uncle Ned told to me. It was the story of a long time ago when Uncle Ned was a little boy. One day his mother took him on her knee and said, "Ned, do you know that your mouth is like a little mill?" It is. The m... Udea And Her Seven Brothers
Once upon a time there was a man and his wife who had seven boys. The children lived in the open air and grew big and strong, and the six eldest spent part of every day hunting wild beasts. The youngest did not care so much about sport, and he o... Umbrellas And Rubbers
Umbrellas and rubbers You never forget, Whenever it's raining Or snowy or wet; But if it should clear up, While you are away, Please bring them back home For the next rainy day. ... Uncle Jerry Chuck
Soon Jimmy Rabbit's friends arrived at his party in throngs. And soon Nimble Deer's antlers bristled with hats and coats of many kinds and colors. "I must look like a Christmas tree," Nimble thought. "I wish Jimmy Rabbit and his friends would c... Up To The Ceiling
Up to the ceiling, down to the ground, Backward and forward, round and round; Dance, little baby, and mother will sing, With the merry chorus, ding, ding, ding! ... Uraschimataro And The Turtle
From the Japanische Marchen und Sagen, von David Brauns (Leipzig: Wilhelm Friedrich). There was once a worthy old couple who lived on the coast, and supported themselves by fishing. They had only one child, a son, who was their pride and joy, a... Urashima
Urashima was a fisherman of the Inland Sea. Every night he plied his trade. He caught fishes both great and small, being upon the sea through the long hours of darkness. Thus he made his living. Upon a certain night the moon shone brightly, m... Valentine's Day
In the western counties, the children, decked with the wreaths and true-lover's knots presented to them, gaily adorn one of their number as their chief, and march from house to house, singing-- Good morrow to you, Valentine! Curl your... Valor
BY LUCY FITCH PERKINS. There isn't any giant Within this forest grim, And if there were, I wouldn't be A bit afraid of him! ... Vasishta And The Four Queens
Once upon a time there was a town called Atpat. In it there ruled a king who had four wives. They were always quarrelling over the housework; so, in order to get some peace at home, the king himself divided the work between them. To the first queen ... Vervain
The herb vervain was formerly held of great efficacy against witchcraft, and in various diseases. Sir W. Scott mentions a popular rhyme, supposed to be addressed to a young woman by the devil, who attempted to seduce her in the shape of a handsome y... Viggo And Beate
Translated by Mrs. Gudrun Thorne-Thompson THE DOLL UNDER THE BRIER ROSEBUSH There was once a girl, and her name was Beate. On her birthday her father had given her a beautiful straw hat. Her mother had given her a pair of yellow shoes and the... Violette
Ourson at eight years of age was tall and strong, with magnificent eyes and a sweet voice; his bristles were no longer stiff but his hair was soft as silk, and those who loved him could embrace him without being scratched, as Passerose had been th... Violette's Sacrifice
When the dinner hour came, Violette arose, dressed herself and entered the dining-room where Agnella and Passerose were awaiting her. Ourson was not there. "Ourson is not with you, mother," said Violette. "I have not seen him," said Agnella. ... Virgilius The Sorcerer
Long, long ago there was born to a Roman knight and his wife Maja a little boy called Virgilius. While he was still quite little, his father died, and the kinsmen, instead of being a help and protection to the child and his mother, robbed them of t... Visiting
"Good morning, Monday! Tell me how is Tuesday?" "Very well, Dame Wednesday. Please to tell Miss Thursday, Also little Saturday, To call on Mister Sunday." ... Waiting For Dinner
When one is very hungry, It's hard to wait, I know, For minutes seem like hours And the clock is always slow. There isn't time to play a game, You just sit down and wait, While Mother says, "Be patient, ... War
Over the broad, fair valley, Filling the heart with fear, Comes the sound of tramping horses, And the news of danger near. 'Tis the enemy approaching, One can hear the muffled drum, And the marching of the soldiers, A... Was It The Field Fairy?
Jack and his sister Nina were two little orphans who had to beg from door to door for their food and a place to sleep. One day a man named Simon told them if they would work for him he would give them a home. Jack and Nina thought Simon must... Washington And The Cowards
BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) During the evacuation of New York by Washington, two divisions of the enemy, encamped on Long Island, one British under Sir Henry Clinton, the other Hessian under Colonel Donop, emerged in boats from the deep wooded ... Washington At Yorktown
BY HENRY CABOT LODGE During the assault Washington stood in an embrasure of the grand battery, watching the advance of the men. He was always given to exposing himself recklessly when there was fighting to be done, but not when he was only an obs... Washington The Athlete
BY ALBERT F. BLAISDELL AND FRANCIS E. BALL Many stories are told of the mighty power of Washington's right arm. It is said that he once threw a stone from the bed of the stream to the top of the Natural Bridge, in Virginia. Again, we are told t... Washington's Modesty
BY HENRY CABOT LODGE (ADAPTED) Washington as soon as Fort Duquesne had fallen hurried home, resigned his commission, and was married. The sunshine and glitter of the wedding day must have appeared to Washington deeply appropriate, for he certainl... Wat Tyler
In our days, all people in our land, except prisoners, are free to go where they will, and to do what work they please. In olden times it was not so. Then, the poorer people were treated like slaves by the nobles; they had to work hard for their m... Watt And The Kettle
There was once a little Scotch boy named James Watt. He was not a strong child, and could not always run and play with other boys, but had often to amuse himself at home. One holiday afternoon little James amused himself in this way. He held a sau... Waukewa's Eagle
BY JAMES BUCKHAM One day, when the Indian boy Waukewa was hunting along the mountain-side, he found a young eagle with a broken wing, lying at the base of a cliff. The bird had fallen from an aerie on a ledge high above, and being too young to ... Weather-rhymes
The ev'ning red, and the morning gray, Are the tokens of a bonny day. Winter's thunder Is the world's wonder. From Lancashire. As the days grow longer, The storms grow stronger; As the days lengthe... What Became Of Owen Parfitt?
In the early part of the eighteenth century a family named Parfitt were living in a small town in the West of England called Shepton Mallet. We are not told how many children they had, but some probably died young, for the only two we hear about a... What Brownie Wanted
Nimble Deer had stopped at Brownie Beaver's pond to get a drink. Just as he raised his head from the water he spied Brownie a little way off, on the bank, gnawing at a box alder tree. "Good evening!" Nimble called to him. "Good evening!" Brow... What Came Of Picking Flowers
There was once a woman who had three daughters whom she loved very much. One day the eldest was walking in a water-meadow, when she saw a pink growing in the stream. She stooped to pick the flower, but her hand had scarcely touched it, when she ... What Could The Farmer Do?
BY GEORGE WILLIAM OGDEN There was an old farmer who had a cow, Moo, moo, moo! She used to stand on the pump and bow, And what could the farmer do? Moo, moo, moo, moo, Moo, moo, moo! She used to stand on... What Happened To Bulka In Pyatigorsk
From the Cossack village I did not travel directly to Russia, but first to Pyatigorsk, where I stayed two months. Milton I gave away to a Cossack hunter, and Bulka I took along with me to Pyatigorsk. Pyatigorsk [in English, Five-Mountains] is ca... What Happened To Dumps
BY CAROLYN SHERWIN BAILEY Once upon a time there was a queer little elf named Dumps, who lived all by himself in a dark little house down in a valley. Ever since he could remember, things had gone wrong with him. He shivered in the cold and k... What Happened To The Thistle
AROUND a lordly old mansion was a beautiful, well-kept garden, full of all kinds of rare trees and flowers. Guests always expressed their delight and admiration at the sight of its wonders. The people from far and near used to come on Sundays and ... What Men Live By
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. (First Ep. of John, iii. 14.) But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, ... What Temperance Brings
More of good than we can tell; More to buy with, more to sell; More of comfort, less of care; More to eat and more to wear; Happier homes and faces brighter; All our burdens rendered ligh... What The Birds Thought Of The Fourth Of July
It was the day after the Fourth of July, and daddy told the children that he must surely tell them about the little birds and what they thought of the wonderful Independence Day. "Didn't they like it?" asked Evelyn. "No," said daddy. "They... What The Cat And Hen Did
Four little children were playing in their garden one day. There were Mollie and Jamie and Betty and Teddy. 'MRS. TOMKINS.'"] They were so busy making mud-pies that they did not see "Mrs. Tomkins," the old cat, when she came and mewed, and m... What The Flowers Told Martha
Martha was visiting her grandmother, who lived in the country. At the back of the farmhouse was a very large porch, and in the front of that a garden in which grew all kinds of flowers. One afternoon, when everyone else was taking a nap, Marth... What The Goodman Does Is Always Right
I WILL tell you a story that was told to me when I was a little boy. Every time I think of this story it seems to me more and more charming; for it is with stories as it is with many people--they become better as they grow older. I have no doub... What The Rainbow Thinks Of The World
"The fairies were giving a luncheon party for the birds, and they wanted to have a great, big surprise," said daddy. "The birds which were invited were the robins, the orioles, the bluejays, the humming-birds. "'Now, birdies,' said the fairy ... What The Rose Did To The Cypress
Once upon a time a great king of the East, named Saman-lalposh, had three brave and clever sons--Tahmasp, Qamas, and Almas-ruh-baksh. One day, when the king was sitting in his hall of audience, his eldest son, Prince Tahmasp, came before him, an... What To Say To The New Mune
New Mune, true Mune, Tell unto me, If my ane true love He will marry me. If he marry me in haste, Let me see his bonny face; If he marry me betide, Let me see his bonnie side; Gin he m... What's The Use Of It?
A CHRISTMAS STORY In a village that was close to the great forest, though it had already become the suburb of a large town, lived a little girl named Hansi Herzchen. She was the seventh child of a family of seven, and she lived at No 7 ---- Str... When I Was A Little Boy
When I was a little boy, I lived by myself, And all the bread and cheese I got I put upon a shelf; The rats and the mice, they made such a strife, I was forced to go to London to buy me a wife. The streets were so broad, an... When Jack Frost Was Young
Not that he is old now, for Jack is a snappy, bright fellow, and will never really grow old--that is, in anything but experience. And that is exactly what this story is about, the time when Jack Frost was young in experience and would not liste...