Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 25, 1914.djvu/415

 CORRESPONDENCE.

The Romance of Melusink, and Absence of Men DURING Childbed.

In Folk-Lore (vol. xxiv., p. 194), Mr. E. S. Hartland, in mentioning how Pressine stipulated that her husband should not intrude upon her childbed, touches on the general seclusion of women from men at such times, both amongst savage peoples and generally throughout Europe.

It is of interest, perhaps, to note how this is insisted upon in ballad literature. Taking a few cases at random we find in " Lee- some Brand " that the lady says : —

" O gin I had but a gude midwife Here this day to save my life, And ease me o' my misery O dear, how happy I would be!"

To which her lover replies : —

" My love, we're far frae ony town There is nae midwife to be foun'. But if ye'll be content wi' me, I'll do for you what man can dee.'

But the lady insists : —

" ' For no, for no, this maunna be,' Wi' a sigh, replied this gay ladye. ' When I endure my grief and pain, My company ye maun refrain.'"

The lover is sent to hunt while she is in labour, with the

proviso : —

" Be sure ye touch not the white hynde. For she is of the woman kynde.'