that which the Witch transformed: Fiftly, that the Merchants, the Inquisitors, and the Tormentors, could not either severally or joyntly do it, but refer the matter to the Witches courtesie and good pleasure.
But where was the young mans own shape all these three years, wherein he was made an Asse? It is a certain and general rule, that two substantial forms cannot be in one subject simul & semel, both at once, which is confessed by themselves. The form of the beast occupied some place in the air, and so I think should the form of a man do also: For to bring the body of a man, with∣out feeling, into such a thin airy nature, as that it can neither be seen nor felt, it may well be unlikely, but it is very impossible; for the air is inconstant, and conti∣nueth not in one place: so as this airy creature would soon be carried into another region, as elsewhere I have largely proved, But indeed our bodies are visible, sensitive, and passive, and are indued with many other excellent properties, which all the Devils in hell are not able to alter; neither can one hair of our head perish, or fall away, or be transformed, without the special providence of God Almighty.
But to proceed unto the probability of this story. What luck was it, that this young fellow of England, landing so lately in those parts, and that old woman of Cyprus, being both of so base a condition, should both understand one ano∣thers communication; England and Cyprus being so many hundred miles di∣stant, and their languages so far differing? I am sure in these dayes, where∣in traffick is more used, and learning in more price; few young or old Mariners in this Realm can either speak or understand the language spoken at Salamim in Cyprus, which is a kind of Greek; and as few old women there can speak our language. But Bodin will say, You hear, that at the Inquisitors commandement, and through the Tormentors correction, she promised to restore him to his own shape: and so she did, as being thereunto compelled. I answer, that as the whole story is an impious fable; so this assertion is false, and disagreeable to their own doctrine, which maintaineth, That the Witch doth nothing but by the permission and leave of God. For if she could do or undo such a thing at her own pleasure, or at the commandement of the Inquisi∣tors, or for fear of the Tormentors, or for love of the party, or for remorse of conscience: then is it not either by the extraordinary leave, nor yet by the like direction of God; except you will make him a confederate with old Witches. I for my part wonder most, how they can turn and tosse a mans body so, and make it smaller and greater to wit, like a Mouse, or like an Asse, &c. and the man all this while to feel no pain. And I am not alone in this maze: for Danaeus, a special maintainer of their follies, saith, That although Augustine and Apulcius do write very credibly of these matters; yet will he never believe, that Witches can change men into other formes, as Asses, Apes, Wolves, Bears, Mice, &c.