“Here holy Vervayne, and here Dill,
’Gainst witchcraft much avayling.”
and again—
“The Nightshade strews to work him ill,
Therewith the Vervain and the Dill
That hindreth witches of their will.”
On the Eve of St. John (June 23rd), Vervain was for a long time associated with the observances of Midsummer Eve. Thus we read in ‘Ye Popish Kingdome:’—
“Then doth ye joyfull feast of John ye Baptist take his turne
When bonfires great with loftie flame in every towne doe burne,
And young men round about with maides doe dance in every streete,