Page:Book of Were-wolves.djvu/78

Rh werwolf vocat, aut in aliam aliquam figuram?"—Ap. Burchard (d. 1024). In like manner did S. Boniface preach against those who believed superstitiously in "strigas et fictos lupos." (Serm. apud Mart. et Durand. ix. 217.)

In 2 dissertation by Müller we learn, on the authority of Cluverius and Dannhaverus (Acad. Homilet. p. ii.), that a certain Albertus Pericofcius in Muscovy was wont to tyrannize over and harass his subjects in the most unscrupulous manner. One night when he was absent from home, his whole herd of cattle, acquired by extortion, perished. On his return he was informed of his loss, and the wicked man broke out into the most horrible blasphemies, exclaiming, "Let him who has slain, eat; if God chooses, let him devour me as well."

As he spoke, drops of blood fell to earth, and the nobleman, transformed into a wild dog, rushed upon his dead cattle, tore and mangled the carcasses and began to devour them; possibly he may be devouring them still (ac forsan hodieque pascitur). His wife, then near her confinement, died of fear. Of these circumstances there were not only ear but also eye witnesses. (Non ab auritis tantum, sed et oculatis accepi, quod