Page:Ante-Nicene Christian Library Vol 6.djvu/105

Rh round, and in its revolution it emits a sound like thunder. These farces, verily, are played off thus.

There are, however, other practices that I shall explain, which those who execute these ludicrous performances estimate as great exploits. Placing a cauldron full of pitch upon burning coals, when it boils up, [though] laying their hands down upon it, they are not burned; nay, even while walking on coals of fire with naked feet, they are not scorched. But also setting a pyramid of stone on a hearth, [the sorcerer] makes it get on fire, and from the mouth it disgorges a volume of smoke, and that of a fiery description. Then also putting a linen cloth upon a pot of water, throwing on [at the same time] a quantity of blazing coals, [the magician] keeps the linen cloth unconsumed. Creating also darkness in the house, [the sorcerer] alleges that he can introduce gods or demons; and if any requires him to show Æsculapius, he uses an invocation couched in the following words:

But after he discontinues uttering these jests, a fiery Æsculapius appears upon the floor. Then, placing in the