Stories
& Legends of Ireland
THE
BEWITCHED BUTTER, pt. 3
John Keegan
When Mrs.
Costigan had ended, the old hag remained a while, as if in a deep reverie;
at length she said -
"Have you any of the milk in the house?"
"I have," replied the other.
"Show me some of it."
She filled
a jug from a vessel and handed it to the old sybil, who smelled it,
then tasted it, and spat out what she had taken on the floor.
"Where
is your husband?" she asked.
"Out in the fields," was the reply.
"I must see him."
A messenger was dispatched for Bryan, who shortly after made his appearance.
"Neighbour," said the stranger, "your wife informs me
that your cattle are going against you this season."
"She informs you right," said Bryan.
"And why have you not sought a cure?"
"A cure!" re-echoed the man; "why, woman, I have sought
cures until I was heart-broken, and all in vain; they get worse every
day."
"What will you give me if I cure them for you?"
"Any thing in our power" replied Bryan and his wife, both
speaking joyfully, and with a breath.
"All I will ask from you is a silver sixpence, and that you will
do everything which I will bid you," said she.
The farmer and his wife seemed astonished at the moderation of her demand.
They offered her a large sum of money.
"No," said she, "I don't want your money; I am no cheat,
and I would not even take sixpence, but that I can do nothing till I
handle some of your silver."
The sixpence
was immediately given her, and the most implicit obedience promised
to her injunctions, by both Bryan and his wife, who already began to
regard the old beldame as their tutelary angel. The hag pulled off a
black silk ribbon or fillet, which encircled her head inside her cap,
and gave it to Bryan, saying: "Go, now, and the first cow you touch
with this ribbon, turn her into the yard, but be sure don't touch the
second, nor speak a word until you return; be also careful not to let
the ribbon touch the ground, for, if you do, all is over".
Bryan
took the talismanic ribbon, and soon returned, driving a red cow before
him.
The old
hag went out, and, approaching the cow, commenced pulling hairs out
of her tail, at the same time singing some verses in the Irish language
in a low, wild and unconnected strain. The cow appeared restive and
uneasy, but the old witch still continued her mysterious chaunt until
she had the ninth hair extracted. She then ordered the cow to be drove
back to her pasture, and again entered the house.
"Go,
now," said she to the woman, "and bring me some milk from
every cow in your possession."
She went,
and soon returned with a large pail filled with a frightful looking
mixture of milk, blood and corrupt matter. The old woman got it into
a churn and made preparations for churning.
"Now,"
said she, "You both must churn, make fast the door and windows,
and let there be no light but from the fire; do not open your lips until
I desire you, and by observing my directions, I make no doubt but, ere
the sun goes down, we will find out the infernal villain who is robbing
you."
Bryan
secured the doors and windows, and commenced churning. The old sorceress
sat down by a blazing fire which had been specially lighted for the
occasion, and commenced singing the same wild song which she had sung
at the pulling of the cow-hairs, and after a little time, she cast one
of the nine hairs into the fire, still singing her mysterious strain,
and watching, with intense interest, the witching process.
