4 SHAKESPEARE'’S [ ADDER. 
And in Ethiopia is another kind of Magnes that forsaketh 
iron, and driveth it away from him. Also the same Magnes 
draweth iron to it in one corner, and putteth it away in 
another corner. And the more blue the Magnes is the 
better it is, 
[He then ascribes to it the same virtues as belong to the 
Adamant—of reconciling men and their wives, and testing 
women’s chastity. ] 
If the powder thereof be sprung and done upon coals in 
four corners of the house, it shall seem to them that be 
in the house, that the house should fall anon. And that 
seeming is by moving that cometh by turning of the 
brain. And there be mountains of such stones, and there- 
fore they draw to them and break ships that be nailed with 
iron [of which Sir John Mandeville also speaks]. 
Bartholomew (Berthelet), bk. xvi. § 63. 
[It is evident from these quotations that Shakespeare and 
Lylly confused the Adamant or Diamond, which was supposed 
to repel iron, with the iron-attracting Magnet, being no doubt 
misled by the similarity of their other properties.] 
Ir this stone be placed on coals in the four corners of 
the house, I say, if it be pounded and sprinkled on the 
coals, sleepers will flee the house and quite forsake it, and 
then thieves can see after all that they please. 
Albertus Magnus, “ Of the Virtues of Stones.” 
Adder. 
Is the adder better than the eel, 
Because his painted skin contents the eye? 
TaMING OF THE SHREW, iv. 3, 179, 180. 
Art thou like the adder waxen deaf? 
ii, King Henry VIL, ili, 2, 76. 
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder ; 
And that craves wary walking. 
Jutius Casar, ii, 1, 14, 15. 
Each jealous of the other, as the stung 
Are of the adder. 
Kino Lear, v. 1, 56, 57. 
Aw Adder dwelleth in shadows, he ‘slideth and wriggleth 
in slipper draughts and wrinkles, and in’ slimy passing. 
