The white rose borne by the Good Mother is a pretty and characteristic interpolation peculiar to flower-loving Provence. In the conclusion of the prayer the Boueno Mero tells whosoever recites it to have no fear of dog or wolf, or wandering storm or running water, or shining fire, or any evil folk. M. Damase Arbaud got together a number of other devotional fragments that may be regarded as offshoots from the parent stem. St Joseph, "Nourricier de Diou," is asked to preserve the supplicant from sudden death, "et de l'infer et de ses flammos." St Ann, "mero-grand de Jésus Christ," is prayed to teach the way to Paradise. To St Denis a very practical petition is addressed:
Grand Sant Danis de Franço,
Gardetz me moun bouen sens, ma boueno remembranço.
Another verse points distinctly to a desire for protection against witchcraft. The Provençals, by the bye, are of opinion that the Angelus was instituted to scare away any ill-conditioned spirits that might be tempted out by the approach of night.
In Germany the guardian saints are dispensed with, but the angels are retained in force. I am indebted to Mr C. G. Leland for a translation of the most popular German even-song:
Fourteen angels in a band
Every night around me stand.
Two to my left hand,
Two to my right,
Who watch me ever