And
Jesu Crist, and Seint Benedight,
Blisse this house from every wicked wight![377]
Urchin is a term which, like elf and such like, we still apply to children, but which seems formerly to have been one of the appellations of the fairies. Reginald Scott, as we have seen, places it in his list, and we find it in the following places of the poets:—
Urchins
Shall for the vast of night that they may work
All exercise on thee.—Tempest, i. 2.
His spirits hear me,
And yet I needs must curse; but they'll not pinch.
Fright me with urchin-shows, pitch me i' the mire,
Nor lead me like a fire-brand in the dark
Out of my way, unless he bid 'em.—Ib. ii. 2.
Like urchins, ouphs, and fairies.
Merry Wives of Windsor, iv. 4.
Elves, urchins, goblins all, and little fairyes.
Mad Pranks, etc., p. 38.
Great store of goblins, fairies, bugs, nightmares,
Urchins, and elves, to many a house repairs.
Old Poem, in Brand, ii. 514.
Trip it, little urchins all.
Maid's Metamorphosis.
Helping all urchin-blasts and ill-luck signs,
That the shrewd meddling elfe delights to make.
Comus, 845.