The Mystery of Witchcraft - History, Mythology & Art. William Godwin. Читать онлайн. Newlib. NEWLIB.NET

Автор: William Godwin
Издательство: Bookwire
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Жанр произведения: Социология
Год издания: 0
isbn: 4064066051785
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the main cause of so violent an epidemic, of so fearful a phenomenon in its continuance and atrocities, a fact demonstrated by the whole course of the superstition in the old times of Catholicism. Materials for exciting animosity and indignation against suspected heretics were near at hand. In the assurance of the pre-scientific world everything remote from ordinary knowledge or experience was inseparable from supernaturalism. What surpassed the limits of a very feeble understanding, what was beyond the commonest experience of every-day life, was with one accord relegated to the domain of the supernatural, or rather to that of the devil. For what was not done or taught by Holy Church must be of 'that wicked One'—the cunning imitator.

      'Where I was wont to feed you with my blood,

       I'll lop a member off, and give it you,

       In earnest of a further benefit;

       So you do condescend to help me now.

      * * * * *

      Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice,

       Entreat you to your wonted furtherance?

       Then take my soul; my body, soul, and all,

       Before that England give the French the foil.

       See! they forsake me.

      * * * * *

      My ancient incantations are too weak

       And hell too strong for me to buckle with.'

      But a worthier, if contradictory, origin is assigned for her enthusiasm when she replies to the foul aspersion of her taunting captors—

      'Virtuous, and holy; chosen from above,

       By inspiration of celestial grace,

       To work exceeding miracles on earth,

       I never had to do with wicked spirits.

       But you—that are polluted with your lusts,

       Stain'd with the guiltless blood of innocents,

       Corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices—

       Because you want the grace that others have,

       You judge it straight a thing impossible

       To compass wonders, but by help of devils.'