the swelling a great quantity of matter gushed out and thâ—… knife's end appeared in the Rupture The maid would â—…ave pulled it out but her friends hindred her and sent immediately for the Dukes Chyrurgeon of the Castle of U uolffenbuttle who first sent a Minister to her to comfort her and instruct her in God's word for as much as she had been troubled by the Devil and on the next day which was Sunday he opened the flesh and took out the knife which was the very same that was lost being only consumed a little about the edge Hector Boethius gives us an admirable Relation concerning King Duffus that he fell into a great malady yet not so greiveous as it was hard to be known by the best Physitians of that time for without any signe of Bile Phlegme or the redundancy of any evil humour the King was grievously tormented every night with perpetual watchings and continual sweatings and found but very little ease in the day-time his body wasted away by degrees his skin grew hard and close shewing to the beholders both the Veins Nerves and situation of the very bones Nevertheless by the regular motion of his pulse it was manifest that nothing of his radical moisture was wasted and the colour of his lip cheeks and ears still remained vigorous and temperate and his appetite was no way abated These good signs in a languishing body and one that was afflicted with much pain the Physitians much admired and when by all their Art they could neither cause him to sleep nor make his sweating cease but that the King grew worse and worse to both they desired him to be of comfort for it might be that some Physitians of other Nations knew the nature of his disease and could cure it whom they would send for by which means he might recover his health But by this time there grew a strange rumour amongst the common people that the King was bewitched and that his disease proceeded not from any natural cause but by the Magick Art of certain women living at Forres a City of Moravia who used those means to the destruction of the King This report soon came to the Kings ear and least the Witches hearing they were discovered should make their escape there were men sent secretly to Moravia to enquire concerning this matter the messengers dissembled the cause of their coming and under pretence of a League they were to make between King Duffus and those of Moravia they came to the City Forres and were by night let into the Castle for that stood as yet for the King here they told the Governour Donevaldus what the King had commanded them to search and desired his aid and assistance in this matter Now a certain young whore whose mother was a Witch one of her Lovers a Souldier had learned by what means her mother wrought her Inchantments and had learnt something concerning the Kings Life and Fortune this he told Donevaldus and Donevaldus related it to the Kings Ambassadors and sent for the woman who was then in the Castle whom he constrained to tell the whole matter and the manner of her mothers proceedings and Souldiers were sent at night secretly to search the business more narrowly The Messengers came to the witches house broke it open and found one of them turning on a spit by the fire a waxen Image made by their Art like to King Duffus another was reciting certain Spels and pouring leisurely a certain liquor upon the Image They took them both and brought them to the Castle with the Image and the liquor where being examined the cause of these deeds they confessed that while the Image was roasting the King never ceased to sweat and while they recited their Charms he never slept and that as the wax melted away so the King consumed and would dye after all was spent as the Devil had informed them moreover that they were hired to do this by those of Moravia These things so incensed the hearers that they caused them both immediately to be burnt with the Image at which very time as afterwards it was known while this passed at Forres the King was eased of his pain and rested that night without swearing and the next day his former strength returning he grew better and lived long after in as perfect health as ever he had been before this calamity happened unto him Gulielmus Malmesburiensis Monachus writes in his History that there were in the time of Peter Damion two old women living in the way that leads to Rome that kept an Inn and that as oft as they had any single passenger they turn'd him into an Ass or Hog and sold him to the Merchants at last having for their Guest a young man that by Fidling and Jugling got his livelihood they turn'd him into an Ass who by the strangeness of his Actions for his understanding was nothing altered drew many passengers to the house and by this means they gained great Custome and no small advantage at last a neighbour of theirs proffered great summs of money for him and at length purchased him but with this caution that he was never to ride him into the Water which for some time was punctually observed but the Ass getting one day at liberty ran into the next Pool of water where after he had cooled himself a little he came to his former shape The like is reported by the Inquisiter Spranger of a Souldier in the Isle of Cyprus who was also turned into an Ass yet his reason remained and he followed his old companions to their Ship but supposed to be a real Ass was beaten away and forced to return to the Witche house that had so transform'd him In this shape he serv'd her three years till passing one day before a Church he was seen to kneel on his hinder legs and to lift up them before at the holding up of the Sacrament of the Altar which action some Geneva Merchants perceiveing apprehended the owner and with torture made her confess how she had inchanted him and converted him into that form and to render him the likeness of man again The Witch was burnt at Famagoste and the youth returned to England affirming that his mind was never so much troubled but that he knew himself to be a man nevertheless his imagination was so deceived by the Devil that he sometimes thought himself to be a Beast and yet had alway this contentment that he was known by the other Magicians and Witches to be a true man CHAP. IV. Of Magicians and Negromancers COrnelius Agrippa the great Magician going one day out of Town from Louain where he dwelt left the Keyes of his Study with his wife charging her strictly to let no body go in but it hapned so that day that a young companion of Agrippa a Schollar and having ever had a curiosity to see some of this Negromancers books came to the house and with much importunity gained the keyes then entring the
her pigs A certain woman having put out her child to Nurse in the Countrey found when she came to take it home that its form was so much altered that she scarce knew it nevertheless not knowing what time might do took it home for her own But when after some years it could neither speak nor go the poor woman was feign to carry it with much trouble in her arms and one day a poor man coming to the door God bless you Mistress said he and your poor child be pleased to bestow something on a poor man ah this child reply'd she is the cause of all my sorrow and related what had hapned adding moreover that she thought it was changed and none of her child The old man whom years had rendred more prudent in such matters told her that to find out the truth she should make a clear Fire sweep the hearth very clean and place the child fast in his chair that he might not fall before it then break a dozen eggs and place the four and twenty half shells before it then go out and listen at the door for if the child spoke it was certainly a Changeling and then she should carry it out and leave it on the Dunghil to cry and not to pity it till she heard its voice no more The woman having done all things according to these words heard the child say seven years old was I before I came to the Nurse and four years have I lived since and never saw so many Milk-pans before So the woman took it up and left it upon the Dunghil to cry and not to be pittied till at last she thought the voice went up into the air and coming out found there in the stead her own natural and wel-favoured child CHAP. VII Of Specters and Phanthasms THE History of Milan gives credit to an Adventure very notable which hapned to two Merchants passing through the wood of Turin to go to France who met with a Spirit in form of a man of tall stature who called after them saying return return back again and go to Louys Sforce to whom you shall give this Letter from me Then they asked him who he was to which he answered that he was Galaas Sforce his brother now Galaas Sforce had been dead long before The Merchants therefore much astonished promised to do his commands and went back to Milan to the Duke to whom they presented the Letter The Duke thinking it a cheat and illusion put them in Prison nevertheless because they persisted still in affirming the truth of it the Senate was assembled where much dispute passed touching the opening of this Letter at last there was none but Galeas Viscount that dared to lift up the Seal and read what was written therein O Louys take heed to thy self for the Venetians and French joyn together against thee to thy hurt and will utterly destroy thy Race nevertheless if thou wilt give me three thousand Crowns thou shalt see the matter reconciled for I will avert thy sad Destiny Farewell But the Duke could by no means be induced to believe this which afterwards did truly come to pass By Lovys the eleventh King of France who sent him prisoner to his Kingdom Marsilius Ficinus as Baronius relates made a solemn vow with his fellow Platonist Michael Marcatus after they had been pretty warmly disputing of the immortality of the Soul out of the principles of their Master Plato that whether of them two dyed first should appear to his friend and give him certain information of that truth it being Ficinus his fate to dye first and indeed not long after this mutual resolution he was mindful of his promise when he had left the body For Michael Marcatus being very intent at his Studies betimes in a morning heard an horse riding by with all speed and observed that he stopped at his window and therewith heard the voice of his friend Ficinus crying out a loud O Michael Michael Vera vera sunt illa Whereupon he suddenly opened his window and espyed Marsilius on a white Steed whom he called after but he vanished in his sight He sent therefore presently to Florence to know how Marsilius did and understood that he dyed about that hour he called at his window to assure him of his own and other mens Immortality Dionysius the Siracusian Tyrant a little before his death saw as he sate in his house molested with some troublesome thoughts a filthy and ugly Specter brushing and cleansing his Palace from which fear he was not free till he dyed Marcus Brutus likewise when he was meditating something against Octavius and Antonius in his Chamber by a Candle in the night heard somebody come into his chamber and looking about to see if it were any of his Domestick servants saw a great and deformed Specter in shape of a man Nevertheless not much frighted at the sight â—…e asked him whether he were a Spirit or a God or what he would have I am said he thy Evil Genius and I 'le meet thee at Philippi To whom Brutus again as a true and Valiant Roman I 'le meet thee there Then having inquired of his servants if they had let any such person in and finding they had not he began to doubt of the success of that War as afterwards it hapned where again this Genius met him Alexander ab Alexandro writes an admirable History of a Gentleman that had newly buried his friend and returning to Rome lay at an Inn by the way Where being alone and awake there appeared to him the Phantasm of his deceased friend pale and wan as when he dyed whom when he saw and could scarce speak for fear he asked at last what he would have But the Specter returning no answer seemed to pull off his cloaths and came to ly by him in the same bed The other being extreamly frighted gave way to him who perceiving he accepted not of his company lookt upon him with a stern countenance and having drest himself departed The other out of exceeding fear fell extreamly sick affirming for truth that the feet of this Phantasm were as cold as Ice A Gentleman of Naples travelling in the Road is reported to have heard the voice of a man imploring and desiring help and that going to the place he saw a terrible Specter beating a young man but by his Prayers caused him immediately to vanish Afterwards he brought the young man to his house and although it were long before he came to himself for the Phantasm ever appeared before him yet at last he confessed many great Crimes that he had most wickedly committed The like we read of a youth of mean parentage amongst the Gabis at Rome that going thither and meditating some Treachery against his Parents met the Devil in his way in shape of a man so that falling into discourse together they came to the same Inn and lay together that night But when the other was a sleep his cursed
Lucifer takes his place in his Throne as King do make their accustomed homage Adoring and Proclaiming him their Lord and rendring him all Honour This Solemnity being finished they fit to Table where no delicate meats are wanting to gratifie their Appetites all dainties being thither brought in the twinckling of an Eye by those spirits that attend the Assembly This done at the sound of many pleasant Instruments for we must expect no Grace in the company of Devils the table is taken away and the pleasant consort invites them to a Ball but the dance is strange and wonderful as well as diabolical for turning themselves back to back they take one another by the arms and raise each other from the ground then shake their heads to and fro like Anticks turn themselves as if they were mad Then at last after this Banquet Musick and Ball the lights are put out and their sleeping Venus awaks The Incubus's in the shaps of proper men satisfy the desires of the Witches and the Succubus's serve for whores to the Wizards At last before Aurora brings back the day each one mounts on his spirit and so returns to his respective dwelling place with that lightness and quickness that in little space they find themselves to be carryed many hundred miles but are charged by their spirit in the way not to call in any wise on the name of God or to bless themselves with the sign of the Cross upon pain of falling with peril of their lives and being greivously punisht by their Demon. Sometimes at their solemn assemblies the Devil commands that each tell what wickedness he hath committed and according to the hainousness and detestableness of it he is honoured and respected with a general applause Those on the contrary that have done no evil are beaten and punished at last when the assembly is ready to break up and the Devil to dispatch them he publisheth this law with a loud voice Revenge your selves or else you shall dye then each one kissing the Posteriors of the Devil a sweet bit no doubt returns upon their aiery Vehicles to their habitations These meetings are made commonly towards midnight when the earth is covered with darkness yet Cardan writes that a friend of his a Bookseller returning from Alemagne where he had newly been saw several assemblies met near a mountain both Wizards and Witches dancing some on Horseback some on Goats others on Dragons some on other Phantasms but drawing nâ—…er within a stones throw they all vanished and were no longer seen The places of these Meetings are in some desart either in a fair plain or under some large tree of which Pomp. Mela writes that on the side of the Mountain Atlas in Mauritania are seen by night certain lights and noises are heard of Cimbals and almost all sorts of Musical Instruments which in the day time cease and the Phantasms vanish and disappear Solin and Olaus affirm the same that the Shepherds living neer this place are often frighted by the Troops of Spirits that go dancing and brawling toward this Mountain esteem'd by the common people to be Aegyptians Valderama speaks farther concerning these meeting places which ought in no wise to be omitted that by tâ—…e new Castle belonging to the Earle of Francesquin he saw under a high Chesnut-Tree hard by a little wood a circle of the breadth of twenty foot being made so round that it seemed to be made by a Geometrical compass where he imagined these Witches and Spirits to have been and what most astonished him was that upon this round circle grew no flower nor grass although in the middle and round about abundantly Suspecting therefore that the earth was consumed by the quality of some ill humour which hindred the Herbs to grow he caused it to be dug up and diligently lookt upon but found the earth of the very same quality and goodness with the rest ad joyning Paul Grillaud a most famous Doctor of the Law reports that a certain Pesant had a wife accustomed to go to such meetings with her other companions which her Husband suspecting often taxed her with it which still she denyed as obstinately till at last resolving to know the truth he feigned himself one night drunk and in a sound sleep which hapned to be the time she was advised by her Spirit to go to the Assembly So that looking round about her that all things were sure her doors fast and her husband to appearance dead drunk she retired into a private corner of the room strip't her self naked and anoâ—…ted her body then in an instant as if she had wings she flew up the Chimney This her husband perceiving rose and hid the box of Oyntment till the next morning when examining her where she had been that night he could neither by fair nor foul means bring her to confess that she had been out of the house till â—…hewing her the box of Oyntment see here said he the witness that will so convince thee that thou shalt be no longer able to deny thy wickedness and unless thou resolve to tell me immediately whither and by what means thou wenâ—…'st expect not to go out of my hands alive Then did he Wâ—… â—…mbling at her husbands threats anâ—… convicted of what she had done confess the truth and all the things committed in their impure Society above all she seâ—… forth the pleasures of it with such cunning flaâ—…tery that the lusty young Pesant had a mind presently to be partaker of those delights and promised her pardon for what she â—…ad done if she would conduct and bring â—…im also to the place This she promised willingly and the time being come after she had asked leave of her spirit to bring her husband with her she caused him to strip himself naked as she was and both being anointed they mounted the spirit attending on them in the form of a Sheep which flying softly through the Air carryed them to the designed meeting place The poor man seeing so many men and women so richly cloathed as to him they appeared such preparations for a Feast such strange Musick and so many lighted Torches around him stood long time amazed But at last after they were all set at the table by the commandment of the Devil the Country man not loosing time but finding the meat unsavoury and without â—…ast for according to the Proverb the Devils were the Cooks he began to ask for Salt and at last a spirit waiting there in form of a youth brought him some which receiveing he said God be praised for this good Salt At which words in a moment the Table Meat Servants Guests Men and Women Musick Lights Spirits and all vanisht away from â—…im who found himself next morning naked in the Countrey of Beneâ—…ent under a great Walnut-Tree almost a hundred miles from his own home whither with must distress at last became accused his wife and many oâ—… of the company who after confession on the
Rack of their profession were afterwards Burnâ—… It is reported by the same Author of another Witch named Lucresse that being carryed away from her house towards a meeting place on the Sabbath when the Bell was ringing to Mattins the sound of the Saints-Bell did so affright the Devil that he let her fall in a place thick with Brambles and Thorns where the next day she was found in pittyful plight and accused but what became of her afterwards the Devil knows CHAP. III. Of Persons Bewitched ANtonius Sucquetas Knight oâ—… great Fame in Flandeâ—…s had besides three lawful Children one Bastard who marryed a wife at Brage this woman a little after her marriage continually vexed with an evil Spirit that wheresoever she was even from among the company of Chast Matrons she was snatcht away and was drawn from the table or seat where she was and thrown into this or that corner notwithstanding all that were present did what they could to hinder it All this happned without any hurt to her which many were perswaded was caused by some Witches means that envied her or loved her Husband who was very beautiful to be short while she was thus tossed too and fro by the evil Spirit she was at last with Child and when her pains began to come upon her and she had sent the maid who was then alone with her to fetch the Midwife the Witch suspected before to be so came in and performed that office privately while the Gentlewoman by reason of her extraordinary pains was in a swoun Afterwards when she came to her self she found hâ—…r self delivered but the Child could no where be found which caused great astonishment But the next morning she found her child by her in the bed in Swadling-cloaths which for some time she suckled till at last it was taken one night from her side and never after heard of In the year saith Langius 1539 in a certain Village called Fugestal a Country man by name Ulricus Neussesser was cruelly tormented with strange pains in his body insomuch that when he despaired of all other remedies he cut his own Throat About three days after when he was to be buryed Eucharius Rosen of Uveissemberg and many skilful pâ—…rsons Anatomised the body and found in his Ventricle a rough and hard peice of Wood four Knives and two peices of Iron all being about a span long there were also seen round bundles of Hair and things that could never enâ—…er into a living man but by the deceit and subtilty of the Devil To this purpose it is also related of a servant to a Noble man of the Castle of Bontenbrouch that all the time he was bewitched he vomiâ—…ed Nails Pins Needles and Strings and being asked concerning it he said tâ—…at a certain woman met him one day breathed upon him from which time he became thus troubled But afterwards when the evil Spiriâ—… left him he confessed that there had no such thing hapned to him but that the Devil made him say so and that those he voided as Needles Pins and the like came not from his stomack but were put into his mouch by the Devil Wierus in like manner writes of a horrible vexation of certain Nâ—…ns at â—…verketes bewitcht as 't was thought on this manner A certain old woman had one day restored some Salt to these Nuns of whom she had borrowed and besides what was due gave as much more After which restoration there was often found about their Chambers a white substance in form of Salt no body knowing by what means it came thither Then was there often heard in the night a voyce groaning and desiring help but when they came to the place whence it proceeded thinking it had been one of their companions that implored their aid they could see nothing Sometimes they were pulled by the feet out of the bed otherwhiles so tickled on the souls of their feet that they wâ—…re ready to dye with laughing some had peieces of their flesh nipt out and all were tormented in some part or other vomitting a black and acid humour so strong that it fetcht the skin off their mouths One time when their friends were come to see them they were lifted up from the ground notwithstanding all resisted some fell down as dead some walked on their hams as if they had no legs others would run up Treeâ—… like Cats and the Abbess her self while she was talking to the Lady Margaret Countess of Burens is concerning these things had a peice of flesh pulled out of her Thigh the wound was of colour what we call black and blew in relation to bruised flesh and was afterwards cured These outrages of Satan lasted for three years but concerning the end I find no mention One thing only more is remarkable of these Nuns that if at any time they were hindred from beating and striking each other they were hugely tormented inwardly if by the desire of their friends they went to Pray their tongues were tyed nor could they seriously attend to any good thing But when they talked concerning idle or lascivious sports they were much refreshed and recreated It happened in the year 1562. at the town of Levensteat under the Duke of Brunswick that a certain maid by name Margaret the daughter of one Achils about the age of twenty was making clean a pair of shoes of her sisters with a knife whose sheath lay by her with another in it at which time an old woman came in asking the maid how she did for she had been sick of a Fever and hearing her answer went out of the house immediately when the maid had done her work she looked for the other knife and the sheath but could find neither so searching very diligently she saw at last a great black dog under the Table which she beat away hoping to find the knife under him but the dog seemed very angry and grinning with his teeth leapt over the hatch of the door and ran away The maid presently began to be giddy and a chilness seemed to come from her head all over her body In the end she â—…ell in a swoun and continued as if she had been dead three dayes then she began to come again to her self and being ask'd the reason of her distemper answered that she was sure the knife that she had lost was in her left side and although her Parents and friends judging her thoughts proceeded from melancholly hunger and the like gave no credence to her words nevertheless she still persisted in affirming of them grieving the more to hear every one contradict and think that impossible of which she was sure At length after three months there appeared on the left side a little above the Spleen a swelling about the bigness of an hens egge which according to the change of the Moon increased and decreased then said shee hitherto you have contradicted me alwayes but I hope you will now beleive what you see and pressing hard upon
strength that he kild two of them and then being wounded in divers places he leapt out of the window into the Garden But fell by misfortune upon a pole that prop't up a Vine and there stuck fast by the Breeches which the Conspirators perceiving ran down and made an end of him there The Negromancer according to the Kings promise had his pardon and being asked by the King how many Witches he thought were in his Dominions answered above a hundred thousand which he knew and of whom he was Master Mr. Baudovain de Ronssey in his Epistles gives us this Relation that in Ostbrook neer Utrect a place in Holland dwelt a certain Negromancer whose servant observing that his Master went constantly on certain nights into the Stable and laid hold on the Rack resolved to do the same unknown to his Master and see what would be the event Thus following his Master who was gone half an hour before into the stable and returned no more he laid hold on that part of the Rack and was posted immediately he knew not how through the aire till at last he found himself in a large Cave amongst an Assembly of Witches His Master astonished and angry at his coming fearing also least by this means their nocturnal meetings might be discovered asked the counsel of the rest concerning him 't was agreed upon at last to receive him and make him swear secrecy This the poor fellow out of fear did and promised whatsoever else they desired at last when the time of departure came they resolved he-should be carryed back because he had sworn to be of the Society and to that end his Master took him upon his back but in their way through the air as they came over a Lake his Master fearing to be discovered by him and finding this opportunity let him fall hoping therein to have drowned him and stifled him in the mudd yet Providence permitted not the youth to be drowned or his fall to be deadly for the abundance of Rushes and Sedge saved its violence and there he lay with no great harm done to his body The next day as he cry'd for help he was heard by some Travellers and by his voice found and holpen out the occasion of his coming thither being examined he was conducted to the Burgomaster of Utrect named Iohn of Cullenburg who making farther inquiry into this extraordinary accident with intention to prosecute the Negromancer sent for him to the place of his habitation but whether advised by his Spirit or warned by the Report he was fled and could no where be heard of Iohn Theuteme Canon D' Albestan being oftimes reproached to be a Bastard and that he merited not to be a Canon which belonged only to those of better Extract invited his revilers one day to Dinner and after the Table was taken away asked them if they would see their Fathers to which they answered they all were willing then caused he his Familiar Spirits to appear in their likenesses one like a Cook another like a Groom a third like a Pesant but his own Father came in the form of a Canon cloathed in a long gown at which sight the company was much amazed and never after reproached him of his Extract since their own was no more honourable CHAP. V. Of Incubus and Succubus's FLegon Trallian made free from slavery by the Emperor Adrian writes in his Book of admirable things that Philinion Daughter to a Vintener fell in Love with Machates a young Forrester but crost by her friends took it so to heart that she dyed suddenly after and was buryed publickly Not long after this sad Funeral Machates passing by came and lay at the house to whom Philinion appeared being alone in his chamber asserting she was not dead but had raised that report to deceive her friends insomuch that they both lay that night together and he gave her towards morning at her departure his Ring in token of his love and in recompence she gave him another while these things thus passed a servant that lay in the next Chamber hearing Philinions voice supposed really that her Masters daughter was alive which she constantly affirmed for truth her Master desirous to know the certainty of it found means to get the young man to stay longer at his House and caused persons to watch every night in the next chamber at last hearing her voice they went into the chamber and ran towards the bed where she lay to embrace their daughter but the Spirit said O cruel Father and Mother since you hindred me to enjoy this youth in life you can expect no kindess from me and lo now I leave you At which words the spirit went out of her and her carcass fell down in the bed Her tomb was immediately after opened but nothing found there save the ring the Forrester gave her which the spirit had left Her body was seen as likewise the tomb by thousands of people that came to see the truth of this admirable accident And at last by the councel of the Divine Hillo the dead body was carryed out of Town and buryed But Machates by this accident was so frightned that he fell shortly after into despair and killed himself Another no less admirable History we find of an Incubus who in the shape of Policrates was created Prince of the Aetolians and was marryed to a young Lady of Locres with whom after he had lain three nights he vanished and was no more seen by the people The Lady brought forth for her Child a monstrous Hermophrodite at which her Parents being astonished assembled the people the Priests and Diviners to consult what should be done with the Child or rather Divelish off-spring and at last it was concluded it should be burnt But then Policrates the Father appeared again in a mourning garment and with threats demanded his Son which being denyed he rushed upon him and toar him to pieces and then devoured all his members excepting the head and vanisht The people resolved to send to the Oracle at Delphos to enquire concerning this matter but the head that was left on the ground began to speak and with a loud voice and eloquent Oration informed the multitude of all the evil that 's threatned them which came to pass the Year after in the War they had with the people of Acarnania Boethius the Historian writes lib. hist. Scot. That a young maid very beautiful and one that had refused the marriage of many Noble Persons fell into strange familiarity with a Devil Till at last her big swelling belly declared what she had done and forced her to disclose the matter to her Parents how a handsome young man came constantly by night and lay with her but from whence or whither he went she knew not Her friends though they gave little credence to these words yet resolved to search into the matter more narrowly and about three days after being informed by her maid that the man was with her
they unlockt the door and entered the Chamber with a great company of lights and saw by their Daughter a most horrid Monster more terrible in shape then what can be described believed The beholders of this strange Spectacle all run away save an holy Priest that staid began to read St. Johns Gospel and when he came to this passage The Word was made Flesh the evil Spirit with a horrid noise flew away with the window of the chamber And the woman at the fright was delivered of a horrid Monster which the Midwives least it might be a reproach to the Family burnt upon a pile of wood immediately In the year 1480. as the same Author affirms a Merchants Ship was going to Flanders to Traffique when on a sudden there arose so vehement a Storm that the Mast was broke and great damage done to the rest of the Tackling insomuch that nothing could be expected but present destruction The Master wondring at this unclemency of the Air for it was then about the Summer Solstice when he could attribute it to no natural cause concluded it was rather by some evil spirit Which as he related to the Passengers comforting them forasmuch as he trusted God would not suffer them to perish by those means of the Devil a pittiful voyce was heard from the bottom of the Ship of one of the passengers a woman accusing her self that for many years she had had familiarity with a Devil in mans shape and that he was then with her and that she deserved to be thrown into the Sea to save the rest from the imminent danger The Minister therefore was sent down to this distressed creature who pray'd by her and after her confession earnestly entreated her to repent and ask of God forgiveness for what she had done This the poor distressed woman no soâ—…ner began to do but a black and thick mist seemed to rise up out of the pump of the Ship and with a great noise flame smoak and stink threw it self into the Sea after which the Tempest ceased and the Ship got safe to harbour Vincentius writes that a certain strong young man well skilled in Swimming was bathing himself by Moon-shine in the Sea and that a woman swimming after him took him by the hair as if it were one of his companions that would have ducked him to whom he spoke but no answer was made nevertheless she followed him to shoar and the youth taken by the great excellence of her beauty covered her with some of his garments and brought her to his home and not long after marryed her But being jeered often by his companions that he had marryed a Phantasm forasmuch as she would never speak he drew his Sword one day and threatned he would kill the Child she bore if she would not speak and tell her Original Alas poor man said she that loosest a good wife by forcing me to speak I had remained long with thee and done thee much good had I not broken the silence enjoyned me and therefore henceforth thou shalt see me no more and then she vanished But the child grew and began to use himself much to swim till at last as he swimmed one day in the Sea many people admiring him he was taken way out of their sight by his Mother Hieronymus reports the like of a Monk invited to uncleaness by a Succubus in the shape of a very fair and beautiful woman but when went to embrace her she sent forth a great cry as she was nothing in reality but a meer shade and Phantasm vanished out of his arms deceiving and deriding the foolish Monk that had by his Lust rendred himself like the horse and bruit beasts without understanding CHAP. VI. Of Familiar Spirits Goblings and Pharies GIlbert writes in the eight Book of his Narrations that a young Gentleman of Loâ—…rain of a good Family but corrupted by ill company frequenting often Ordinaries and such like houses of Debauchery was one day walking in the fields melancholy by himself for want of money To whom a Spirit appearing in mans shape asked the reason of his solitariness profering to do him service in whatever troubled him providing he would stedfastly believe all that was in a little Book he would give him and swear never to open or shew it to any body This when the young man had promised the other produced a little Book in his left hand and shaked 60. Crowns out of it into his right bidding the young man do the like who produced the same effect But at last when he wanted for nothing being overcome with curiosity he resolved to see what was contained in it and opening it he saw in the midst a round Circle divided with certain lines in form of a Cross on which was painted a horrible face of a Devil At this sight the young man was so frighted that his Eyes became black and his Brains turned that he thought to have some heavy load on his shoulders He was forced therefore to confess the matter to his friends who perswaded him to through the Book into the fire which although there was nothing in it but Paper yet remained an hour in the fire before it consumed A certain Souldier travelling through Marchia a country of Almaigne and finding himself weary in his journey abode in an Inn till he might recover his strength and committed to his Hostesses custody certain money which he had about him Not long after when he was to depart he required his money but the woman having consulted with her Husband denyed the Receit and return thereof accusing him also of wrong in demanding that which she never received the Souldier on the other side fretting amain accused her of cousenage which stir when the man of the house heard though privy to all before yet dissemblingly took his Wives part and thrust the souldier out of doors who being throughly chafed with that indignity drew his Sword and ran at the door with the point of it whereat the Host cried Theeves Theeves saying that he would have entered his House by force so that the poor Souldier was taken and put in Prison and by process of Law to be condemned to death but the very day wherein this hard Sentence was to be pronouncâ—…d and executed the Devil entred into the prison and told the Souldier he was condemned to dye nevertheless if he would give himself body and soul to him he would promise to deliver him out of their hands the prisoner answering said that he had rather dye being innocent then be delivered on such conditions Again the Devil propounded to him the great danger his life was in and also used all cunning means possible to perswade him But the other resolutely withstood his temptation that at last he promised to revenge him of his enemies for nothing advising him moreover to plead not guilty to declare his innocency and their wrong and to entreat the Judge to grant him one that stood by in a
companion laid hold on him to strangle him but that the other awaking began to pray to God for help at whose Name Satan made such hast to be gone that he broke through the top of the house by which fear the youth afterwards changed his evil intentions to an honest and Religious life A rich Gentleman that lived thirteen Miles from Goiâ—…is had made a great Feast and invited his friends but they came not Whereat being extreamly incensed come said he all the Devils that will since my friends are so unworthy And immediately after came in many Goblings as it were in the several habits of Merchants and Gentlemen Forreiners who were kindly welcomed and sate down to Table But stretching forth their fingers like Cats Claws they were perceived indeed to be Demons and the Gentleman making some Invocation to God as people in fear naturally use to do they all vanished but so perfum'd the room that few guests ever came into it afterwards Sabellicus writes for a true and admirable relation that a Secretary of Lewis Alodiser Lord of Iâ—…ole travelling to Ferrara met in a Valley between two great Hills a Phantasme in shape of Lewis's Father who dyed and had been magnificently buried not long before appearing on Horsback and with a Hawk on his fist as it was his custome when he went a Hunting in his life time This Specter charged him to return presently to his Son and tell him that he should come the next day and meet him in that place for he had matters of great importance to discover to him The Secretary through fear and obeysance went back to Imole where he related what had hapned but Lewis whether he feared some ambush in that place or credited not the relation would not go in person but sent another in his name to see what the Spirit would declare the Ambassador being arrived with the Secretary at the place the same shadow appeared to them complaining greatly of the Prince that he would not come himself and hear what he dared not to reveal to any other Nevertheless he commanded them to return and tell their Master that before two and twenty years specifying the Month and the Day he should lose the Government of that place The time being come Lewis stood upon his guard remembring the threats pronounced by his Fathers Ghost Yet notwithstanding all his preparations that Year that Month and Day the Souldiers of Philip Duke of Milan passed the Trenches scaled the Walls and obtained the Town and took him prisoner Cardan relates that a friend of his going in a dark night from Milan to Galerat saw a strange apparition of fiery Spirits who inform of Pesants ran behind him in the way upon a fiery Cart crying with a loud voice Take heed take heed and although he spurred his horse and made all the hast possible yet they were still at his back till at last when he came to St. Lorences Church which is without the Castle-Gate he recommended himself to God and presently he thought he saw those Pesants with their burning Cart and Oxen swallowed up in the Earth After this it was observed that the Inhabitants of Galerat were tormented that year with a cruel Plague and other great afflictions P. Matthieu Historiographer to Henry the fourth King of France writes that in the year 1598. as that King was hunting in the Forrest of Fountainebleau a great cry of Hounds and Huntsmen was heard at half a miles distance which sometimes again as they drew neer a wood seemed to be within twenty paces of them Whereupon the King commanded the Earl of Soissons to set Spurs to his horse and see what it was believing that there was none so bold as to meddle with his Game or hinder his pastime The Earl of Soissons went and still heard the noise not perceiving whence it came till a tall man in black presented himself in a thick mist crying Do you hear me do you hear me and suddenly vanished At which words the stoutest of them resolved to leave off hunting for that day wherein nothing but danger and fear was expected Now although fear commonly ties the tongue and freezeth the words nevertheless they related this Matter and have caused it to be inserted in the History of that King which many would think to be a fable of Merlin or Urgand the unknown if the truth affirmed by so many persons of Credit and seen by so many judicious eyes had not put away all doubt There is a History no less admirable of a Merchant of Sicely that travelling in the year 1536. upon the one and twentieth day of March not far from the Castle of Tauriming met in the way with ten Demons in form of Blacksmiths a little farther with ten more and again with another that seemed a true Vulcan and having questioned him whither he went he answered he was going to forge at Mount Aetna to which the Merchant reply'd that he wondered they should go to forge on a Mountain that was always covered with Snow Alas said the other thou knowst not my strength but ere long shalt perceive it and then he vanisht The next day toward night a great Earth-Quake opened the Mount in several places and much mischiefe was caused by the fire to the Inhabitants CHAP. VIII Of Places Haunted THere was in Athens a great and spacious House but very infamous for a report that it had for long time been haunted by an evil Spirit That in the dead time of the night a strange noise was heard at first as it were from the yard which came neerer and neerer till there stood before them an old man lean pale and with a long beard having his hands and feet chained which he often shaked By these terrors the Inhabitants fell sick and many dyed for the rememberance of the image impressed on their fancy caused a deadly fear Insomuch that at last it was left desolate Nevertheless Bills were set up in several places of the City if peradventure any one would venture to hire and inhabit it At that time the Phylosopher Athenodorus came to Athens and reading one of these bills and the small rent it was to be let at by reason of its infamy bought it notwithstanding what the people reported of it And gave order the first night that his bed should be made in the first room of it some books and his pen and paper to be brought that his mind being imployed and busied might cause no vain fears In a studying posture therefore he watched and when at midnight he heard the noise of Chains and Irons as had been reported to him he neither lifted up his eyes nor left writing till it seemed to be in the Room Then looking towards the door there appeared the image of an ancient man loaded with chains beckoning as it were for him to follow the Phylosopher on the other side made signes with his hand that he should stay a little till he had made an