Here is a spell for the cure of leprosy by means of a dark-coloured plant:—
Born in the night art thou, O herb,
Dark-coloured, sable, black of hue:
Rich-tinted, tinge this leprosy,
And stain away its spots of grey! (i. 23, 1).
A large number of imprecations are directed against demons, sorcerers, and enemies. The following two stanzas deal with the latter two classes respectively:—
Bend round and pass us by, O curse,
Even as a burning fire a lake.
Here strike him down that curses us,
As heaven’s lightning smites the tree (vi. 37, 2).