Nursery Rhyme. CCXL. Charms.

        [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. See also MS. Lansd. 231, fol. 114, and Ady's 'Candle in the Dark,' 4to, London, 1650, p. 58.]

    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!

Unknown

The identity of this poet is not known. Their works, which are often of significant historical or cultural value, have been attributed to 'Unknown'. This designation is commonly used when the creator of works, ranging from ancient texts to more modern writings, remains anonymous or uncredited. Despite the lack of personal details, the impact and importance of these works endure, offering insight into the eras and cultures from which they originated.

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CXCV. Riddles.

Unknown , Simple Poetry

Nursery Rhyme. CCLXXI. Gaffers And Gammers.

Unknown , Simple Poetry

Nursery Rhyme. CCLXIV. Gaffers And Gammers.

Unknown , Simple Poetry

Nursery Rhyme. CLXVI. Songs.

Unknown , Simple Poetry

English

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Nursery Rhyme. CCXXXIX. Charms.

        [The following, with a very slight variation, is found in Ben    Jonson's 'Masque of Queen's,' and it is singular to account for its introduction into the modern nursery.]

    I went to the toad that lies under the wall,
    I charmed him out, and he came at my call;
    I scratch'd out the eyes of the owl before,
    I tore the bat's wing, what would you have more.

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCXLVI. Charms.

    Robert Rowley rolled a round roll round,
    A round roll Robert Rowley rolled round;
    Where rolled the round roll Robert Rowley rolled round?

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Nursery Rhyme. CCXLV. Charms.

    My father he left me, just as he was able,
    One bowl, one bottle, one lable,
    Two bowls, two bottles, two lables,
    Three, & c. [And so on ad. lib. in one breath.]

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCXLI. Charms.

        [Ady, in his 'Candle in the Dark,' 4to, Lond. 1656, p. 59, says that this was a charm to make butter come from the churn. It was to be said thrice.]

    Come, butter, come,
    Come, butter, come!
    Peter stands at the gate,
    Waiting for a butter'd cake;
    Come, butter, come!

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCXLVII. Charms.

My grandmother sent me a new-fashioned three cornered cambric country cut handkerchief. Not an old-fashioned three cornered cambric country cut handkerchief, but a new-fashioned three cornered cambric country cut handkerchief.

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCXXXVII. Charms.

    Cushy cow bonny, let down thy milk,
    And I will give thee a gown of silk;
    A gown of silk and a silver tee,
    If thou wilt let down thy milk to me.

Unknown