Rhyme of Portents

Since the time of the Consolidation, various events have been linked to witchcraft and danger. The most common portents have been set to rhyme, and taught to faithful Davite children to remind them to be wary of the evils that lurk in the world.

Darkness messenger, the bat.
Witch's plaything, hare and cat.
Eclipse is an evil sign.
Children sick by mage design.
Mischief when a snake's unkilled.
Deathbed words will be fulfilled.
Omens come from hedgehog whinings.
Wax balls ward off evil tidings.
Blue burn candles at midnight.

Owls mean death when they're in sight.
If you spill salt when you dine,
Pour on your lap good red wine.
Witches use an eggshell boat,
Crack them up so they can't float.
Garden dreams mean near death time.
To kill a rat, say a rhyme.
Cat or hare, end the journey,
Or the devil you may see.

Something happens when you itch.
Fresh milk sour means a witch.
Rooster cries can scare a ghost.
Defects mean a witch's host.
Comets for a royal coffin.
Stumbling means danger within.

Even crows for weather warm,
But odd crows tell of a storm.
Raven croak from neighbor roof,
Writing will's to your behoof.
Eels horse hair in the stream.
Death when greeted from a dream.