Religion

Charms and Invocations: A Charm Against Enemies

by Anonymous (Old Irish) c. 8th–12th century

Translated by Alfred Perceval Graves (1917) · From A Celtic Psaltery (1917)

Religion

Three powers are of the Evil One to curse mankind;
An Evil Eye, an Evil Tongue, an Evil Mind.
Three words are God's own breath and Mary's to her Son,
For she in heaven had heard them, told them every one.
The word of Mercy free, the singing word of Joy,
The binding word of Love He gives us to employ.
O may the saving might of these three holy words
On Erin's men and women light, and keep them still the Lord's.

✦ ✦ ✦

Early Irish charm.

MLA

Anonymous (Old Irish). “Charms and Invocations: A Charm Against Enemies.” Translated by Alfred Perceval Graves. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-irish/133/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Old Irish). “Charms and Invocations: A Charm Against Enemies.” Translated by Alfred Perceval Graves. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-old-irish/133/.

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