CCXXIII.

[A charm somewhat similar to the following may be seen in the "Townley Mysteries," p. 91. See a paper in the " Archæologia," vol. xxvii. p. 253, by the Rev. Lancelot Sharpe, M.a.]

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,

Guard the bed that I lay on!

Four corners to my bed,

Four angels round my head!

One to watch, one to pray,

And two to bear my soul away!

CCXXIV.

[The present charm, which appears to be only another version of the one just given, is preserved by Aubrey, in MS. Lansd. 231, fol. 114. It may likewise be found in Ady's "Candle in the Dark," 4to, Lond. 1655, p. 58.]

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,

Bless the bed that I lie on !
And blessed guardian-angel, keep

Me safe from danger whilst I sleep!

CCXXV.

[The following charm was learnt by the late Sir Humphrey Davy when a boy, as a cure for the cramp.]

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, ease us, I beg!
The devil has tied up a knot in my leg.

Crosses three +++ we make to ease us ;

Two for the robbers, and one for Christ Jesus.

EIGHTH CLASS—GAMES.

CCXXVI.

We are three brethren out of Spain,
Come to court your daughter Jane.
My daughter Jane she is too young,
And has not learn'd her mother-tongue.

Be she young, or be she old,

For her beauty she must be sold.

So fare you well, my lady gay,

We'll call again another day.

Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight;

And rub thy spurs till they be bright.

Of my spurs take you no thought,

For in this town they were not bought.

So fare you well, my lady gay,

We'll call again another day.

Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight,

And take the fairest in your sight,

The fairest maid that I can see,

Is pretty Nancy, come to me.