THE ANGLO-SAXON HERBALS 41 



from me, do thou make them whole. Goddess, I beseech thee ; 

 I pray thee as a suppliant that by thy majesty thou grant this 

 to me. 



" Now I make intercession to you all ye powers and herbs 

 and to your majesty, ye whom Earth parent of all hath produced 

 and given as a medicine of health to all nations and hath put 

 majesty upon you, be, I pray you, the greatest help to the human 

 race. This I pray and beseech from you, and be present here 

 with your virtues, for she who created you hath herself promised 

 that I may gather you into the goodwill of him on whom the art 

 of medicine was bestowed, and grant for health's sake good 

 medicine by grace of your powers. I pray grant me through 

 your virtues that whatsoe'er is wrought by me through you may 

 in all its powers have a good and speedy effect and good success 

 and that I may always be permitted with the favour of your 

 majesty to gather you into my hands and to glean your fruits. 

 So shall I give thanks to you in the name of that majesty which 

 ordained your birth." 



