The discovery of witchcraft proving that the compacts and contracts of witches with devils and all infernal spirits or familiars are but erroneous novelties and imaginary conceptions : also discovering, how far their power extendeth in killing, tormenting, consuming, or curing the bodies of men, women, children, or animals by charms, philtres, periapts, pentacles, curses, and conjurations : wherein likewise the unchristian practices and inhumane dealings of searchers and witch-tryers upon aged, melancholly, and superstitious people, in extorting confessions by terrors and tortures, and in devising false marks and symptoms, are notably detected ... : in sixteen books / by Reginald Scot ... ; whereunto is added an excellent Discourse of the nature and substance of devils and spirits, in two books : the first by the aforesaid author, the second now added in this third edition ... conducing to the compleating of the whole work, with nine chapters at the beginning of the fifteenth [sic] book of The discovery.

CHAP. X.

Of Natural Witchcraft for Love, &c.

* 1.1BUt as there is Fascination and Witchcraft by malicious and angry eyes un∣to displeasure; so are there witching Aspects, tending contrariwise to Love, or at the least, to the procuring of good will and liking. For if the Fascination or Witchcraft be brought to pass or provoked by the desire, by the wishing and coveting any beautiful shape or favour, the venom is strained through the eyes, though it be from a far, and the imagination of a beautiful form resteth in the heart of the Lover, and kindleth the fire where it is af∣flicted. And because the most delicate, sweet, and tender blood of the beloved doth there wander, his countenance is there represented shining in his own blood and cannot there be quiet; and is so haled from thence, that the blood of him that is wounded, reboundeth and slippeth into the wounder, according to the saying of Lucretius the Poet to the like purpose and meaning in these verses;

Idque petit corpus, mens unda est saucia amore, Namque omnes plerunque cadunt in vulnus, & illam Emicat in patem sanguis, unde icimur ictu; Et si comminus est, os tum ruber occupat humor.

Englished by Abraham Fleming,

And to that body 'tis rebounded, From whence the mind by Love is wounded, For in a manner all and some, Into that wound of Love do come, And to that part the blood doth flee From whence with stroke we stricken bee; If hard at hand, and near in place, Then ruddy colour fils the face.

Thus much may seem sufficient touching this matter of Natural Magick; whereunto though much more may be annexed, yet for the avoiding of tedious∣ness, and for speedier passage to that which remaineth, I will break off this pre∣sent Treatise. And now somewhat shall be said concerning Devils and Spirits in the discourse following.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Nescio quis o∣culús teneros mihi fascinat agnos, saith Virgil; and thus Englished by Abraaham Fleming.

  I wote not I What witching eye, Doth use to hint My tender Lamb Sucking their Dam•• And them inc••••nt.