Laidly

They launched the ship upon the main, Which bellowed like a wrathful bear; Down to the bottom the vessel sank, A laidly Trold has dragged it there. ❋ Unknown (2004)

A similar ballad, now lost, but re-written by the contributor, from scraps of recitation by an old woman in Berwickshire, localises the story of the fire-drake (‘the laidly worm’) near Bamborough in ❋ Frank Sidgwick (N/A)

Margaret, daughter of the King of Bamburgh was turned into a "laidly worm" (loathly or loathsome serpent) by her wicked stepmother, who was jealous of the lovely maid. ❋ Unknown (1908)

She turned me into a laidly worm to coil around a tree ❋ Unknown (1898)

You've turned my son to a laidly worm to coil around a tree ❋ Unknown (1898)

Pierce Hardcastle, "is it known to you what this laidly dame's practices be?" ❋ Charlotte Mary Yonge (1862)

Presently we revive, we stir, we flutter; and Fate, that foe -- the old arch-spider, that hath no moderation in her maw -- now fixeth one of her many eyes upon us, and giveth us a partial glimpse of her laidly and grim aspect. ❋ Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton (1838)

[Hence the origin of Supporters] and horrible and laidly looked they in the guise of griffins, with artful scales of thin steel painted green, red forked tongues, and griping the banner in one huge claw, while, much to the marvel of the bystanders, they contrived to walk very statelily on the other. ❋ Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton (1838)

"I don't want to be crowned king, rude man, with your laidly moustache: I want to be made knight, and have banderol and baldric. ❋ Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton (1838)