For Water-Elf Disease
"For Water-Elf Disease" (Old English: Wiþ Wæterælfadle) is an Anglo-Saxon metrical charm that was intended for use in curing the "water-elf disease," which was a disease supposedly caused by elf-shot from water elves.[1][2][3] It is written in Old English and derives from Bald's Leechbook (10th century).
Some historians have suggested that the disease referred to may be chicken pox or dropsy (oedema).[4] A poultice is made with many herbs and placed on the wound.[5][6]
Text
Translated by Dr. Aaron K. Hostetter.
Gif mon biþ on wæterælfadle, þonne beoþ him þa hand- Ic benne awrat betest beadowræda, Sing þis manegum siþum: Eorþe þe onbere eallum hire |
If someone comes down with the “water-elf-disease,” then his finger- I have composed the best battle-company for this wound, Sing this many times: Earth that withers all of these,
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References
- ^ "Against the Water-Elf-Disease | Ancient Exchanges". Exchanges: Journal of Literary Translation.
- ^ "medieval charms". The Mediaeval Monk. 29 November 2020.
- ^ Jolly, K. L. (2015). Popular Religion in Late Saxon England: Elf Charms in Context. United States: University of North Carolina Press.
- ^ "Medieval Medical Works · Vesalius at 500 · Special Collections and Archives". library.missouri.edu.
- ^ "History and Folklore Podcast: Anglo-Saxon Elf Charms". historyandfolklorepodcast.libsyn.com.
- ^ Shippey, Tom (2005) [1982]. The Road to Middle-Earth (Third ed.). HarperCollins. pp. 66–74. ISBN 978-0261102750.
- ^ "Metrical Charm 7: For the Water-Elf Disease". www.sacred-texts.com.
- ^ "The Metrical Charms | Old English Poetry Project | Rutgers University". oldenglishpoetry.camden.rutgers.edu.