_Metrical Charms_.--In the enumeration of the various branches
of that interesting subject, the "FOLK LORE OF ENGLAND," on which
communications were invited in the last number of "NOTES AND
QUERIES," there is an omission which I beg to point out, as it
refers to a subject which, I believe, deserves especial
investigation, and would amply repay any trouble or attention that
might be bestowed upon it. I allude to _Metrical Charms_, many
of which are still preserved, and, in spite of the corruptions they
have undergone in the course of centuries, would furnish curious and
valuable illustrations of the Mythological System on which they are
founded.
"Spirits of the flood and spirits of the hills found a
place in the mythology of Saxon England,"
says an able reviewer of Mr. Kemble's _Saxons in England_, in
_The Anthenæum_ (13th Jan. 1849); and he continues,
"The spells by which they were invoked, and the forms
by which their aid was compelled, linger, however, still
amongst us, although their names and powers have passed
into oblivion. In one of the Saxon spells which
Mr. Kemble has inserted in the Appendix, we at once
recognised a rhyme which we had heard an old woman
in our childhood use,--and in which many Saxon words
unintelligible to her were probably retained."
Who would not gladly recover this "old rhyme?"--I can say for
myself, that if these lines should ever meet the eye of the writer
of the passage I have quoted, I trust he will be induced to
communicate, in however fragmentary a shape, this curious addition
to our present scanty stories of mythological information.
While on the subject of _Charms and Spells_, I would ask those
who are more familiar than myself with the Manuscript treasures of
the British Museum, and of our University Libraries, whether they
have ever met with (except in MSS. of Chaucer) the remarkable "Night
Spell" which the Father of English Poetry has preserved in the
following passage of his _Miller's Tale_. I quote from Mr.
Wright's edition, printed for the Percy Society:--
"'What Nicholas, what how man, loke adoun:
Awake and think on Cristes passioun
I crowche the from Elves and from Wightes.'
There with the night-spel seyde he anon rightes
On the foure halves of the hous aboute
And on the threissh-fold of the dore withoute.
"'Lord Jhesu Crist and seynte Benedight,
Blesse this hous from every wikkede wight
Fro nightes verray, the white Paternoster
When wonestow now, seynte Petres soster.'"
This charm has long occupied my attention, and as I hope shortly to
submit to the Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries an attempt to
illustrate some parts of it which are at present certainly involved
in very great obscurity, I shall be glad to be informed whether any
other early version of it is to be found in MS., and if so, where;
and also whether any other version, corrupted or not, is still
preserved, if not in use, at least in memory. I should also be
especially glad of references of any other allusion to the "white
Paternoster" or "seynte Petres soster," or for any information as to
sources for ascertaining the history, whether authentic or
legendary, of the personage supposed to be alluded to in the closing
words of this remarkable spell.