THE LEGEND OF MICHAEL SCOT 187 



we borrow from an obscure author^ who used his 

 pen in the service of the Guelfs : 



' Amisit Astrologos, et Magos, et Vates, 

 Beelzebub et Ashtaroth proprios Penates, 

 Tenebrarum consulens per suos Potestates 

 Spreverat Ecclesiam, et mundi Magnates.' 



When we remember that Michael Scot was the man 

 whom Frederick loved to consult and employ, we 

 understand what effect this depreciation of the 

 master's fame must have had on that of his servant. 

 If the Emperor made Beelzebub and Ashtaroth his 

 gods, Scot must soon have been recognised as the 

 go-between in this infernal business. 



Such an impression would naturally be heightened 

 by the recollection of the years which had been 

 spent by Michael Scot at Toledo and Cordova. We 

 have already noticed the dark reputation which 

 attached to the former of these places. It is only 

 needful here to add that Scot's ecclesiastical char- 

 acter would by no means hinder the unfavourable 

 inference that must have been drawn from his 

 lengthened residence in ^the chief seat of magical 

 study. St. Giles before his conversion, and Gerbert, 

 afterwards Pope Sylvester ii., were commonly re- 

 ported to have learned the black art at Toledo. As 

 to Cordova, the Picatrix mentions the discovery of 

 a magic book in the Church there,^ which shows 

 that the supernatural fame of Toledo attached itself 

 also to this city. 



It is far from improbable that the nature of 

 Scot's studies in these places may have inclined 

 men to believe in the stories told of him as a 



^ Albert Beham, Regist. JEpistol. p. 128. 



^ Book iv. chap. ix. 'De imaginibus quae virtutes faciunt mirabiles, 

 et fuerunt inventae in libro qui fuit inventus in Ecclesia de Cordib.' 



