150 LETTERS ON NATURAL MAGIC. 



former thereupon turning to me, said, * Know, they have 

 declared that in the space of a month you shall be in her 

 company.' 



" He thus requested me to stand resolutely by him, 

 because the legions were now above a thousand more in 

 number than he had designed ; and besides, these were 

 the most dangerous ; so that, after they had answered my 

 question, it behoved him to be civil to them and dismiss 

 them quietly. At the same time the boy under the 

 pintaculo was in a terrible fright, saying that there were 

 in that place a million of fierce men, who threatened to 

 destroy us ; and that, moreover, four armed giants of 

 enormous stature were endeavouring to break into our 

 circle. During this time, whilst the necromancer, 

 trembling with fear, endeavoured by mild and gentle 

 methods to dismiss them in the best way he could, 

 Vincenzio Romoli, who quivered like an aspen leaf, took 

 care of the perfumes. Though I was as much terrified 

 as any of them, I did my utmost to conceal the terror 

 I felt ; so that I greatly contributed to inspire the rest 

 with resolution ; but the truth is, I gave myself over for 

 a dead man, seeing the horrid fright the necromancer was 

 in. The boy placed his head between his knees and said, 

 ' In this posture will I die ; for we shall all surely perish.' 

 I told him that all these demons were under us, and what 

 he saw was smoke and shadow ; so bid him hold up his 

 head and take courage. No sooner did he look up than 

 he cried out, ' The whole amphitheatre is burning, and 

 the fire is just falling upon us.' So covering his eyes 

 with his hands, he again exclaimed, 'That destruction 

 was inevitable, and desired to see no more.' The necro- 

 mancer entreated me to have a good heart, and take care 

 to burn proper perfumes ; upon which 1 turned to Romoli, 

 and bid him burn all the most precious perfumes he had. 

 At the same time I cast my eye upon Aguolino Gaddi, 



