A MIRACULOUS CURE
FOR
WITCHCRAFT
OR
Strange News from the Blew-Boar in Holburn
To the Tune of, Aim not too high.
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OF things most strange we every day do hear,
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Yet things more strange than usual do appear,
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As by my storie which I shall relate,
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I'le let you know without the least deceit.
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Wizzards and Witches have too well been known
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By hellish arts to trouble many a one:
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Some by sad torments sorely were opprest,
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And some to death bewitch'd, this is no Jest.
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Not far from London as the storie tells,
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A Girl that was bewitch't, in health now dwells:
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Who while the witch surviv'd, no ease could find
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But vext in Body, and perplext in mind.
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Her friends were troubled for to see her so,
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But how to help it they no means did know:
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Nature oblidg'd them for this Girl to grieve,
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And try all wayes how they might her relieve.
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They try'd and try'd, but no way could they find,
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Her torments they increast, her strength declin'd,
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Her pains too great, they thought for to endure,
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Yet they poor souls for her could find no cure.
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From one unto another they were sent,
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Untill at last they to a Chymist went,
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Who was well known to have great art and skill,
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And strove the minds of patients to fulfill.
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When they to him their business had made known
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Quoth he, I pray you let me now alone:
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My greatest skill and art I now will show,
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To ease this Girl of this tormenting woe.
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This Girls own Urine then he bid them take,
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And with some other things a mixture make:
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Which being put into a bottle then,
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He ordered them the manner, place, and when.
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They should this Bottle in in a Dung-hill put,
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Which he believ'd the witches Charms would cut
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This thing they then were all resolv'd to try,
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Hoping to find some help immediatly.
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The 27th of March they did begin
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To try this fancy at the Blew-boar-Inn:
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A place in Holburn known exceeding well,
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Near this we may conclude these people dwell.
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So coming to this place they straight way went
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To try this thing was wholly their intent:
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And in the Dung-hill there a hole was made,
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The Bottle with the Ingredients in it laid.
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This being done, they fill'd it up again,
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And by this Dung-hill they did all remain,
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As if no other thing they had to do,
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But to divert the time to work they go.
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And their intent was carefully to see
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After this Bottle, that it there might be,
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And not be touch'd or medled with at all,
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This thing admir'd was by great and small.
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All night they sat and carefully did watch,
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And in the morning came this wicked wretch,
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Who did this Girl bewitch, and presently
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Askt for the Bottle, which they did deny.
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Much swelled then she did appear to be,
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And hellish looks she had undoubtedly:
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This Bottle she was forc'd to go without;
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Her hellish curses then she thundered out.
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But of her curses they were not afraid;
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Nor nothing seem'd at her to be dismay'd:
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But in short space it was cerain said,
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And tydings brought them that this Witch was dead
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As soon as this witches life did end,
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The Girl immediatly began to medd:
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And they that question what's inserted here,
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To Holburn go, the truth you'l find appear.
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O GOD preserve us from such wicked Fiends,
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Protect our persons and our nearest friends,
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From Cursed witches, and such fiends of Hell,
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Who joy when they in wickedness excell.
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