Page:The Famous History of the Learned Friar Bacon.djvu/18

 They laboured to do this by art, but could not; wherefore they conjured up a sprite, to inquire of the infernal council, whether it might be done or not? The sprite, however, was unwilling to answer, if Bacon had not threatened by his charms to bind him in the Red Sea, and make him the sport of wrecking whirlwinds.

Terrified by this menace, he answered, That he could not tell him positively, but must inquire of Lord Lucifer; hereupon they granted him two days for an answer, and accordingly he returned the following: If they would watch carefully for two months it should speak in that time; but the certain time should not be known to them; and then if they hoard it, and made their demands, what they desired should be answered.

At this they, much rejoiced, and then watched by turns very carefully for six weeks, when no voice was uttered. Being at length quite tired out, and broken for want of their natural rest, they concluded that some other might watch as well as them, while they refreshed themselves with repose; and call them when the head began to speak, which would be time enough; and this was a secret, they did not cave to have it