The Legendary Lore of the Holy Wells of England: Including Rivers, Lakes, Fountains and SpringsStock, 1893 - 222 pages |
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Common terms and phrases
Abbey Alnwick ancient antiquity Archæological Atwick Baschurch bath beautiful bells blessed bottom boussening bridge built called St Carlisle Cathedral celebrated century Chad chalybeate chapel Christian church churchyard Cornwall Coventina cure custom dedicated in honour dedicated to St Derbyshire diseases DUPATH east EAST DEREHAM eyes fairies famous feet fish flowers flows Folk-lore formerly fountain Hall hand healing hill History holy honour of St Howley Hall Ibid inhabitants King KING'S NEWTON Lady Lady's lake legend llynclis Longnor Lord MADRON MARY'S mermaid miles miraculous MORWENSTOW neighbourhood neighbouring night Notes and Queries Oswestry parish Peg Powler pins pool probably reputed resort river Robin rock Roman Rorrington round Ryhall sacred saint Saxon says seen Semerwater Shropshire situated spot spring of water stone stream Sunday superstition supposed town tradition village Virgin virtues visited wall Wanswell well-dressing wish wood worship Wulfhere yards Yorkshire
Popular passages
Page 16 - For from cock-crow he had been travelling, And there was not a cloud in the sky. He drank of the water so cool and clear, For thirsty and hot was he, And he sat down upon the bank, Under the willow-tree.
Page xiv - In these lay a [great] multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered [waiting for the moving of the water]. 4 [For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water...
Page 182 - IN ancient times, as story tells, The saints would often leave their cells, And stroll about but hide their quality To try good people's hospitality. It...
Page 17 - If the husband, of this gifted Well Shall drink before his wife, A happy man henceforth is he, For he shall be master for life. " But if the wife should drink of it first, God help the husband then ! " The stranger stooped to the Well of St. Keyne, And drank of the water again. "You drank of the Well, I warrant, betimes ?" He to the Cornishman said : But the Cornishman smiled as the stranger spake, And sheepishly shook his head.
Page 16 - I'll venture my life, She has drank of the Well of St. Keyne." " I have left a good woman who never was here," The stranger he made reply ; " But that my draught should be better for that, I pray you answer me why.
Page 28 - What is it thou hast seen? or what hast heard?' And answer made the bold Sir Bedivere: ' I heard the ripple washing in the reeds, And the wild water lapping on the crag.
Page xix - Nor will I call out upon the mountains, fountains, or hills, or upon the rivers, which now are subservient to the use of men, but once were an abomination and destruction to them, and to which the blind people paid divine honour.
Page 16 - A WELL there is in the west country, And a clearer one never was seen ; There is not a wife in the west country But has heard of the Well of St. Keyne.
Page 185 - is an oblong, 38 feet by 16, with steps for the descent of the fair sex, or of invalids. Near the steps, two feet beneath the water, is a large stone, called the wishing-stone. It receives many a kiss from the faithful, who are supposed never to fail in experiencing the completion of their desires, provided the wish is delivered with full devotion and confidence.
Page 17 - You drank of the well, I warrant, betimes," He to the Cornishman said ; But the Cornishman smiled as the stranger spake, And sheepishly shook his head. " I hasten'd as soon as the wedding was done, And left my wife in the porch ; But i' faith she had been wiser than I, For she took a bottle to church.
References to this book
European Paganism: The Realities of Cult from Antiquity to the Middle Ages Ken Dowden No preview available - 2000 |