Dear Hearts, Farewell.

Chapter V.

O London, London
my bowels are rolled together

in me

for thee
and my compassions within me
are kindled towards thee

and now I only tell thee
that it was not in vain
that this form has been brought
so far to thee
to proclaim the day of the Lord
throughout the streets
day and night
for twelve or thirteen days together

and that I have been made such a sign
and a wonder before many
of thine inhabitants' faces

Many of them

among other strange exploits

beholding me
fall down flat at the feet
of cripples
beggars
lazars
kissing their feet
and resigning up my money to them
being several times over-emptied of money
that I have not had one penny left
and yet have recruited again

And now, my hearts!
you have been forwardly
in all the appearances of God
there is a strange one

now on foot

judge it not
lest you be judged
with a vengeance

Turn not away your eyes from it
lest you

to your torment

hear this voice

I was a stranger
and ye took me not in

well
I bow down before Eternal Majesty
who is Universal Love
bow down to equality
or free community
that no more of your blood be spilt
that pride
arrogance
covetousness
malice
hypocrisy
self-seeking

&c.

may live no longer
else I tremble
at what's coming upon you

remember
you have been warned
with a witness

dear hearts
farewell

Comments

She called the Devil by the Name of Bunne: The Faversham Witches (1645).

The Examination, Confession, Trial and Execution of Joan Williford, Joan Cariden and Jane Holt. Who were executed at Faversham in Kent for being Witches, on Monday the 29. of September, 1645. Being a true copy of their evil lives and wicked deeds, taken by the Mayor of Faversham and jurors for the said inquest. With the examination and confession of Elizabeth Harris, not yet executed. All attested under the hand of Robert Greenstreet, Mayor of Faversham. London, Printed for J.G. October 2. 1645. The Confession of Joan Williford, Septemb. 24. 1656, made before the Mayor, and other jurates. She confessed that the Devil about seven years ago did appear to her in the shape of a little dog, and bid her to forsake God and lean to him. Who replied, that she was loath to forsake him. She confessed also that she had a desire to be revenged upon Thomas Letherland and Mary Woodrofe, now his wife. She further said that the Devil promised her that she shoul...

Robert Plot, first Keeper of the Ashmolean, on mysterious circles, from 'The Natural History of Staffordshire' (Oxford, 1686).

And here perchance, by the way, it may be no great digression to enquire into the nature and efficient cause of those rings we find in the grass, which they commonly call fairy circles, whether they are caused by lighning, or are indeed the rendezvouzes of witches , or the dancing places of those little pygmy spirits they call elves or fairies . And the rather because, 1 - a question - perhaps by reason of the difficulty - scarce yet attempted, and 2 - because I met with the largest of their kind - that perchance were ever heard of - in this county; one of them showed me in the grounds between Handsworth Church and the heath being near forty yards diameter, and I was told of another by that ingenious gent. - one of the most cordial encouragers of this work - the Worshipful Sir Henry Gough, Knight, that there was one in his grounds near Pury-Hall but few years since - now indeed plowed up - of a much larger size, he believed near fifty. Whereas,...

Se riza el aire gris.

The field of olives opens and closes like a fan. Above the grove the sky is sunk the rain is dark the stars are cold. A trembling in the rushes and darkness falls on the riverbank. A ripple through the grey air. Olive trees laden with screams. A flock of captive birds move their long, long tails in the shadows. FGL (1931) PSY (Feb. 2025)

Paul Summers Young

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