CHAP. XIII.
Of private Confederacy, and of Brandons Pigeon.
PRivate Confederacy I mean, when (one by a special plot laid by himself, without any compact made with others) perswadeth the beholders, that he will suddenly and in their presence do some miraculous Feat, which he hath already accomplished privily. As for example, he will shew you a Card, or any other like thing: and will say further unto you; Behold and see what a mark it hath, and then burneth it; and nevertheless fetcheth anther like Card so marked out of some bodies pocket, or out of some corner where he himself before had placed it; to the wonder and astonishment of simple beholders, which, conceive not that kind of illusiion, but expect miracles and strange works.
What wondering and admiration was there at Brandon the Jugler, who paint∣ed on the wall the picture of a Dove, and seeing a Pigeon sitting on the top of a House, said to the King, Lo now your Grace shall see what, a Jugler can do, if he be his Crafts-master; and then pricked the picture with a Knife so hard and so often, and with so effectual words, as the Pigeon fell down from the top of the House stark dead. I need not write any further circumstance to shew how the matter was taken, what wondering was thereat, how he was prohibited to use that Feat any further, lest he should imploy it in any other kind of murther; as though he, whose picture soever he had pricked, must needs have died, and so the life of all men be in the hands of a Jugler: as is now supposed to be in the hands and wils of Witches. This Story is, until the day of the writing hereof, in fresh remembrance, and of the most part believed as Canonical, as are all the Fables of Witches: but when you are taught the feat or sleight (the Secrecy and Sorcery of the matter being bewrayed and discovered) you will think it a mocke∣ry and simple illusion. To interpret unto you the Revelation of this Mysterie; so it is, that the poor Pigeon was before in the hands of the Jugler, into whom he had thrust a dram of Nux vomica, or some other such poison, which to the nature of the Bird was so extream a venom, as after the receipt thereof it could not live above the space of half an hour, and being let loose after the medicine ministred, she always resorted to the top of the next House: which she will the rather do, if there be any Pigeons already sitting there, and (as it is already said) after a short space falleth down, either stark dead, or greatly astonied. But in the mean time the Jugler used words of Art, partly to protract the time, and partly to gain credit and admiration of the beholder. If this or the like Feat should be done by to old Woman, every body would cry out for fire and fag∣got to burn the Witch.