Page:Three Books of Occult Philosophy (De Occulta Philosophia) (1651).djvu/184

 and words, as they induce accustomed motions by their accustomed numbers, and proportions, and form, so also besides their usuall order, being pronounced, or wrote backwards, more unto unusuall effects.

Chapter lxxii. Of the wonderful power of Inchantments.
They say that the power of inchantments, and verses is so great, that it is believed they are able to subvert almost all nature, as saith Apuleius, that with a Magicall whispering, swift Rivers are turned back, the slow sea is bound, the Winds are breathed out with one accord, the Sun is stopt, the Moon is clarified, the Stars are pulled out, the day is kept back, the night is prolonged, and of these things sings Lucan,

"The courses of all things did cease, the night Prolonged was, 'twas long before 'twas light; Astonied was the headlong world, all this Was by the hearing of a verse --"

And a little before.

"Thessalian verse did into 's heart so flow, That it did make a greater heat of love."

And elsewhere.

"No dregs of poison being by him drunk, His wits decay'd inchanted -"

Also Virgil in Damon.

''Charms can command the Moon down from the Skie, Circes Charms chang'd Ulisses company.'' A