On the foure halves of the hous aboute
And on the threissh-fold of the dore withoute.
“‘Lord Jhesu Crist and seynte Benedight,
Blesse this hous from every wikkede wight
Fro nightes verray, the white Paternoster
When wonestow now, seynte Petres soster.’”
This charm has long occupied my attention, and as I hope shortly to submit to the Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries an attempt to illustrate some parts of it which are at present certainly involved in very great obscurity, I shall be glad to be informed whether any other early version of it is to be found in MS., and if so, where; and also whether any other version, corrupted or not, is still preserved, if not in use, at least in memory. I should also be especially glad of references of any other allusion to the “white Paternoster” or “seynte Petres soster,” or for any information as to sources for ascertaining the history, whether authentic or legendary, of the personage supposed to be alluded to in the closing words of this remarkable spell.
WILLIAM J. THOMS.