NOW for these poor young creatures that have pined themselves to death, and neglected the cure, the worst of pretenders to phisiognomy might prescribe them a remedy; and all those of what constitution soever, that have languished in single sheets till sixteen; I will show you how you shall see the person that is to ease you of your maidenhead, collected from Trismegistus, and Cornelius Agrippa.
On Midsummer Eve three or four of you must dip your shifts in fair water, then turn them wrong-side outwards, and hang them on chairs before the fire, and lay some salt in another chair, and speak not a word. In a short time the likeness of him. you are to marry, will come and turn your smocks, and drink to you; but if there be any of you will never marry, they will hear a bell, but not the rest.
Another Way, quickly tried.
Take hemp-seed, and go into what place you will by yourself, carry the seed in your apron, and with your right hand, throw it over your shoulder, saying,
Hemp-seed I sow, hemp-seed I sow,
And he that must be my true love,
Come after me and mow:
And at the ninth time expect to see the figure of him you are to wed, or else hear a bell as before.
Yet though you hear the sad and dismal bell,
It is your fault if you lead apes in hell.
Another Way.
You that dare venture into a church-yard, just as it strikes twelve at night, take a naked sword in your hand, and go nine times about the church, saying,
Here's the sword, but where's the scabbard?
