Читать книгу The True Story vs. Myth of Witchcraft - William Godwin - Страница 77

As according to the doctrine of witchcraft, there were certain compounds, and matters prepared by rules of art, that proved baleful and deadly to the persons against whom their activity was directed, so there were also preservatives, talismans, amulets and charms, for the most part to be worn about the person, which rendered him superior to injury, not only from the operations of witchcraft, but in some cases from the sword or any other mortal weapon. As the poet says, he that had this,

Might trace huge forests and unhallowed heaths —

Yea there, where very desolation dwells,

By grots and caverns shagged with horrid shades,

nay, in the midst of every tremendous assailant, “might pass on with unblenched majesty,” uninjured and invulnerable.