Part 39 (2/2)

{239} That which here follows of the invocation was obtained subsequently by my agent, I think, from another source. What precedes is evidently only a fragment.

{251} The concluding portion of this chapter is taken from the Italian original paper read by me at the first meeting of the Italian Folklore Society in the Collegio Romano, Rome, November 20, 1894.

{253} These references to Marietta Pery are in regard to a certain Italian poetess, of whose work I originally intended to give specimens in this book, but which were omitted as want of s.p.a.ce did not permit their insertion. I hope to include them in another volume of legends.-C. G.

LELAND.

{255} Such incantations are _intoned_ or chanted in a very peculiar style, so that those who can only hear the sound know that it is a magic spell. Therefore they must be expressed very accurately to the letter.

It may be observed that there is a contradiction in the original MS., which here speaks of _three_ companions, and subsequently of two. I believe the latter to be correct.

{259a} Here the name of the lover is p.r.o.nounced by the friends.

{259b} Now in possession of Mrs. January of St. Louis, Missouri.

{262} ”Moon Lore,” p. 152.

{265} I have no doubt that originally all the spoken parts of this narrative were sung.

{266} Thorns here plainly mean suffering, _Fasio di pruini che ai messo al tuo fratello_.

{269} It is amusing that this stealing oil wherewith to make love-charms, which was denounced so bitterly as d.a.m.nable sorcery at one time, and frequently punished by death, _i.e._, by burning alive, is now tacitly encouraged by the priests. There are churches about Rome in which the oil is placed where it may be stolen or taken, it being understood that a _soldo_ or two shall be left to pay for it.

<script>