Scot's Discovery of vvitchcraft proving the common opinions of witches contracting with divels, spirits, or familiars ... to be but imaginary, erronious conceptions and novelties : wherein also, the lewde unchristian all written and published in anno 1584, by Reginald Scot, Esquire.

CHAP. XV.

Of the common peoples fo••d and superstitious collections and observa∣tions.

AMongst us there be many women, and effemenate men (marry pa∣pists alwayes, as by their superstition may appeare) that make great divinations upon the shedding of salt, wine, &c. and for the observation of dayes and houres use as great witchcraft as in any thing. For if one

chance to take a fall from a horse, either in a slippery ot stumbling way, he will note the day and houre, and count that time unlucky for a journy. Otherwise, he that receiveth a mischance, will consider whether he met not a cat, or a hare, when he went first out of his doores in the morning; or stumbled not at the threshhold at his going out; or put not on his shirt the wrong side outwards; or his left shoe on his right foot, which Au∣gustus Caesar reputed for the worst luck that might befal. But above all other nations (as Martinus de A••les witnesseth) the Spaniards are most superstitious herein, and of Spaine, the people of the province of Lu∣sitania is the most fond. For one will say; I had a dreame to night, or a crow croked upon my house, or an owle flew by me and screeched (which augury Lucius Sylla took of his death) or a cocke crew contrary to his houre. Another saith; The moone is at the prime; another, that the sun rose in a cloud and looked pale, or a star shot and shined in the aire, or a strange cat came into the house, or a hen fell from the top of the house.

Many will go to bed againe, if they neeze before their shoes be on their feet; some will hold fast their left thumb in their right hand when they hickot; or else will hold their chinne with their right hand whiles a gospel is sung. It is thought very ill lucke of some, that a child, or any other living creature, should passe betweene two friends as they walke together; for they say it portendeth a division of friendship. A∣mong the papists themselves, if any hunters, as they were a hunting, chanced to meet a frier or a priest; they thought it so ill luck, as they would couple up their hounds, and go home, being in despaire of any further sport that day. Marry if they had used venery with a begger, they should win all the money they played for that day at dice. The like fol∣ly is to be imputed unto them, that observe (as true or probable) old verses, wherein can be no reasonable cause of such effects; which are brought to passe onely by Gods power, and at his pleasure. Of this sort be these that follow.

Vincenti festo si sol radiet memor est••.

Remember on S. Vincents day, If that the sun his beames display.

Clara dies Pauli bona tempora denotat anni.

If Paul th'apostles day be clear, It doth foreshew a lucky year.

Si sol splendescat Mariâ purificante, Major erit glacies post festum quàm fuil ante.

If Maries purifying day, Be cleare and bright with sunny raie, Then frost and cold shall be much more, After the feast than was before.

Serò rubens coelum cras indicat esse serenum, Si manè rubeseit. ventus vel pluvia crescit.

The skie being red at evening, For eshewes a faire and clear morning; But if the morning riseth red, Of wind or raine we shall be sped.

Some stick a needle or a buckle into a certain tree, neere to the cathe∣dral church of S. Christopher, or of some other saint; hoping thereby to be delivered that yeare from the headach. Item maids forsooth hang some of their haire before the image of S. Urbane, because they would have the rest of their haire grow long and be yellow. Item, women with child runne to church, and tie their girdles or shoe-lachets about a bell, and strike upon the same thrice, thinking that the sound thereof hasteth their good delivery. But sithence these things begin to touch the vanities and superstitions of incantations, I will referre you thither, where you shall see of that stuffe abundance; beginning at the word Ha∣bar.

Notes

• O vain folly &c follish vani∣ty?
• Martin de Arles in tract. de superst. con∣tra. malesicia. Appian de bello civili.
• Augurifical toies.
• Englished by Abraham Fleming.
• By Abraham Fleming.
• By Abraham Fleming.
• By Ab•• Fleming.
• Seek more hereof in the word Habar.