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m-BRECHTs] THE SWIMMER MANUSCRIPT 149
Conjuration.—This is the term I use to indicate those formulas in
which a power, not necessarily felt as superior, is appealed to in a
commanding, coercive, often even in a threatening, insulting tone;
the object is to bring about materially beneficial results. There is
an absolute certainty that our desire will materialize, if only the formula
is recited and the ceremony performed without a flaw.
Incantation.—As usual in the course of this paper I define incanta-
tion as the recitation of a formula with a view to harm a person in
his material belongings, in his health, or in his life.
I am quite well aware that "incantation" as generally used in
English has not this exclusive meaning, and veiy often also covers
the two other groups discussed, as indeed, etymologically, it has a
right to do. But anybody who has given the subject close attention
will agree that the terminology is very confusing and most inadequate.
Incantation, exorcism, spell, charm, prayer, magic or sacred formida,
nursery rhymes, etc., are words that often aU stand for one thing, but
when one particular kind of formula has to be referred to one is at a
loss to know which term of the collection to use, and be sure to be
understood.
The terminology as here used is adopted in German and Netherlandish
as Prayer (Gm. Segen; Neth. Zegen); Conjuration (Gm.
Beschworungsformel; Neth. Bezweringsformule); Incantation (Gm.
Zauberspruch ; Neth. Tooverspreuk).
PRAYERS
For Protection
a*'DaDutlso°"sti uGQ-'wuth'
for tying oneself up for the purpose
This kind of formulas, to which belong also many songs, are of a
prophylactic nature. They are protection prayers, which are known
in German foUdore as "Segen."
They are recited, either by a priest on behalf of a patron, or by
any one who happens to know them on behalf of himself, and are
supposed to ward off evil, such as iUness, ill will, witchcraft, etc.
They are sung or recited especially before setting out on a journey,
or when about to meet a group of people, and there is no doubt but
the ferocious songs of "Ostenaco," both when setting out upon his
journey and when arriving in the port of London, mentioned by
Lieutenant Timberlake, were just this kind of protection songs. To
quote Timberlake: "When we had got about 200 yards from the
town house . . . Ostenaco sung the war song, in which was a prayer
for our safety through the intended journey; this he bellowed out loud
enough to be heard at a mile's distance." (Timberlake, p. 98.)
And when arriving: "While in the boat that took us to shore
Ostenaco, painted in a veiy frightful manner, sung a solemn dirge