A notorious scold was supposed to draw down the ill-favour of the fairies, and a nagging husband or a wife-beater was often misled by the fairies. A well-known case is the story of Old Farmer Mole given by Ruth Tongue in County Folklore (vol.VIII, p.115).

See also Faults Condemned by Fairies; Virtues esteemed by the Fairies.

John Milton's country roots were at Forest Hill, and his fairy traditions were true to those of Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties. It is worth giving the whole fairy passage in L'Allegro in spite of its general familiarity:

With stories told of many a feat,

How Faery Mab the junkets eat,

She was pincht, and pull'd she sed,

And he by Friars Lanthorn led

Tells how the drudging Goblin swet

To ern his Cream-bowle duly set,

When in one night, ere glimps of morn,

His shadowy Flale hath thresh'd the Corn

That ten day-labourers could not end,

Then lies him down the Lubbar Fend.

And stretch'd out all the Chimney's length,

Basks at the fire his hairy strength;

And Crop-full out of dores he flings,

Ere the first Cock his Mattin rings.