Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/294

 she resented much; and now, knowing her power to revenge it, she trudges thither, where she found him carousing with many friends. She took an opportunity to slip a letter into his hands, and retired unknown, which he had no sooner perused, but telling his company he must run a race, he immediately went into the next room, and stripped himself stark naked, then taking a hand whip, he ran into the street, lashing his sides and back, crying "There he goes! I win! I win!" Whilst the people followed, calling him to stay, thinking he was distracted, yet he ran on to the further end of the town, lashing himself till he was bloody. At which time, coming to his wits, he was in the greatest consternation, swearing the devil had put this trick upon him; for all the time he imagined he had been on horseback, and was riding a race, not feeling the lashes he gave himself till he had completed his number, and filled the measure of the witch's resentment.

The old woman's two daughters become witches, and one of them, in the shape of a mare, is revenged upon her false sweetheart and rival. , growing more and more perfect in her art, resolved to bring in her daughters for a snack and thereupon communicates to them all that had befallen her. They were content to be ruled by the mother, and she anointed them, and used the best means she was able to make them perfect in their new trade. Their names were Margery and Cicely. The first was courted by Roger Clodpate, a plain, downright country fellow; but he was wheedled from her by Dorothy, a