Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 11, 1900.djvu/161

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Charm against the Child-stealing Witch.
151


The Anathema of Mar Ebedishu, the Monk and Hermit.

The prayer, request, petition, and supplication of Mar Ebedishu, the Monk and Hermit of God, who was among the dumb beasts on the Friday, which is the Passion (sc. day) of our Lord and Redeemer, at the time when the Evil Spirit in the likeness of a hateful woman of dark appearance was coming down from the Mount of Eden, and she appeared unto him and called him by name, Ebedishu; and he said unto her, "Who art thou?" She replied and said, "I am a woman and will be your partner." Thereupon the saintly Mar Ebedishu, as soon as he perceived that she was a wicked and unclean spirit, bound her and cursed her and tied her up, saying, "You are not empowered to show your might and strength and craft over the men-servants and women-servants of God who carry these formulæ. And, furthermore, I conjure thee by Him at whom angels and men tremble, that if thou hast any other names reveal them to me, and show me, and hide it not." She said unto him, "I will reveal it unto thee, though I desire it not. I have twelve other names. Whosoever will write them and hang them upon himself, or place them in his house, his house will I not enter, nor (approach) his children. First Miduch, second Edilta, third Mouelta, the fourth they call Lilitha and Malvitha and the strangling-mother of children (lit. boys)." Thereupon the saintly Mar Ebedishu, as soon as he perceived that she was an evil and unclean spirit, bound her and cursed her and tied her up, and said unto her, "You are not empowered to show your might and strength and craft over the servant of the Living God who carries these writs; and, furthermore, I conjure thee by the One at whom angels and men tremble, that if you have any other names, reveal them to me, and show me, and hide nothing from me." She replied unto him, "I will reveal it unto thee, though I desire it not. I have twelve other names. Whosoever will write them and hang them upon himself, his house will I not enter, nor do harm unto his wife, nor unto his children, nor unto anything which he hath or will have; my first name (is) Geos, second Edilta, third Lambros, fourth Martlos, fifth Yamnos, sixth Samyos, seventh Domos, eighth Dirba, ninth Apiton, tenth Pegogha, eleventh Zardvech, Lilitha, Malvitha, and the strangling-mother of children." Then the saintly Mar Ebedishu said unto her, "I will bind you off him