FAIRIES AND THEIR FLOWER LORE 123 



she had completed her task. Daisy (an en- 

 chanted cow) was the last to be milked, and the 

 pail was so full that the milkmaid could hardly 

 lift it to her head. So, to relieve herself, she 

 gathered some handfuls of grass and clover, and 

 spread on her head in order to carry the milk-pail 

 more easily. But no sooner had the clover touched 

 her head than suddenly hundreds of little people 

 appeared, surrounding Daisy, dipping their tiny 

 hands into the milk, and gathering it with clover 

 flowers, which they sucked with gusto. 



Daisy was standing in the long grass and clover, 

 so some of these little creatures climbed up the 

 stalks and held up buttercups, convolvulus, and 

 foxgloves to catch the milk which dropped from 

 the cow's udder. When the astonished milkmaid, 

 upon reaching home, recounted her wonderful 

 experiences to her mistress, the good housewife 

 at once cried out: ''Ah, you put a four-leaved 

 clover on your head !" 



Unless armed with this potent herb, the only 

 other means available to mortals who wish to make 

 the acquaintance of the fairies is to procure a supply 

 of a certain precious unguent prepared according 

 to the receipt of a celebrated alchymist, which, 

 applied to the eyes, is said to enable anyone with a 

 clear conscience, to behold without difficulty or 

 danger the most elusive fairy, sprite, or gnome 

 that he may meet at any time; this is an exact copy 

 of the preparation of this magic physic: 



" A pint of Sallet-oyle, and put it into a vial- 

 glasse; but first wash it with Rose- Water and 

 Marygold water, the flowers to be gathered towards 

 the East. Wash it till the oyle comes white, then 



