Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland and Hesi...

Should a person be bewitched by an evil neighbour, he must take two black cocks, lay a charm over the head of one and let it loose; but the other must be boiled down, feathers and all, and eaten. Then the malice of the neighbour will have no effect on him or his.

Call your friend to a feast; but leave your enemy alone; and especially call him who lives near you: for if any mischief happen in the place, neighbours come ungirt, but kinsmen stay to gird themselves. A bad neighbour is as great a plague as a good one is a great blessing; he who enjoys a good neighbour has a precious possession. Not even an ox would die but for a bad neighbour. Take fair measure from your neighbour and pay him back fairly with the same measure, or better, if you can; so that if you are in need afterwards, you may find him sure.

If any one enamoured be, And in my aid his love hath placed, Unto his call I'll come in haste. So it came to pass that the fair goddess made love with Endamone as if they had been awake (yet communing in dreams). And so it is to this day, that whoever would make love with him or her who sleeps, should have recourse to the beautiful Tana, and so doing there will be success. This legend, while agreeing in many details with the classical myth, is strangely intermingled with practices of witchcraft, but even these, if investigated, would all prove to be as ancient as the rest of the text. Thus the sheep's intestine—used instead of the red woollen bag which is employed in beneficent magic—the red and black ribbon, which mingles threads of joy and woe—the (peacock's) feather or la penna maligna —pepper and salt, occur in many other incantations, but always to bring evil and cause suffering.

Instead of a friend become not an enemy to thy neighbour: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued.

Woe to you who requite your neighbour with evil; For ye shall be requited according to your works.

Who will pity an enchanter struck by a serpent, or any that come near wild beasts? so is it with him that keepeth company with a wicked man, and is involved in his sins.

Four things does a wreckless man gain who covets his neighbour's wife,--a bad reputation, an uncomfortable bed, thirdly, punishment, and lastly, hell.

Cursed be hee that smiteth his neyghbour secretly: And all the people shall say: So be it.

If a man kill his neighbour on set purpose, and by lying in wait for him: thou shalt take him away from my altar that he may die.