Note 27 — Chapter I · THE ANGLO-SAXON HERBALS
Reading edition
It is interesting to find the same beliefs amongst the ancient Babylonians.
“Fleabane on the lintel of the door I have hung S. John’s wort, caper and wheatears With a halter as a roving ass Thy body I restrain. O evil spirit get thee hence Depart O evil Demon. . . . . . . . In the precincts of the house stand not nor circle round ‘In the house will I stand,’ say thou not, ‘In the neighbourhood will I stand,’ say thou not. O evil spirit get thee forth to distant places O evil Demon hie thee unto the ruins Where thou standest is forbidden ground A ruined desolate house is thy home Be thou removed from before me, By Heaven be thou exorcised By Earth be thou exorcised.” Trans. of Utukke Limnûte Tablet “B.” R. C. Thompson, Devils and Evil Spirits of Babylonia.