Note 191 — PART III.[181]
Reading edition
The ‘mauken,’ or hare seems to have occupied a most important position in the folk-lore of all countries, but notably of Scotland. Sir Walter Scott, in his work on Demonology and Witchcraft, tells how Isobel Gowdie, one of the witches of Auldern, disguised herself as a hare and after being hunted by hounds for some time, took refuge in a house where she found opportunity to say the disenchanting rhyme:—
‘Hare, Hare, God send thee care! I am in a hare’s likeness now; But I shall be woman even now— Hare, hare, God send thee care:’
That is her own story. A most valuable and interesting article, on ‘The Hare in Folk-Lore’ was contributed to a recent number of the Folk-Lore Journal by Mr. William George Black, F.S.A. Scot., and should be consulted by those who wish to know more about this subject.