Human Affairs
Soothsayer, Sooth Thyself!
“Poor diviner indeed must he be about me, who could predict nought about himself. If the things to come were known to him, he might well have foreseen his own death.” […]
Prophesy
Orient
Medieval Magic C-Section
“on’t watch as the sorcerer begins his incantations to bring out this lion from within her body: he will cut open the cypress’s belly, and she will feel no pain. Then, driving all fear and anxiety from your heart, you must sew up the wound where the sorcerer cut her.” […]
Supernatural
God Speaks in Mysterious Ways
“While king Cunincpert was taking counsel in what way he might deprive Aldo and Grauso of life, suddenly in the window near which they were standing sat a fly of the largest kind which when Cunincpert attempted to strike with his knife to kill it, he only cut off its foot.” […]
Britons and Celts
An Awkward Arrival
“Then one of his men ran forward and put his hand on a hut, and took a handful of the thatch, and turned to the duke, saying heartily, ‘Sire, come forward and receive this.'” […]
Greek and Roman
Omens Are Everywhere
“Another time, when he was sleeping in a tavern, a snake wound itself round his head, and when his friends were alarmed and shouted out, the creature went away without harming him.” […]
Britons and Celts
A Dream Mistress of Great Power
‘Then she handed me a sword with a highly polished hilt.
“Wield this weapon of mine,” said the woman,
“Much blood has been spilt at the bite of its blade,
And as you slash and swish it will serve you unswaveringly.”’ […]
Greek and Roman
Beware the Advice of Raving Hermits
“For your part, you are to remember to threaten him with the imminent loss of his life and his fall from the throne, unless he choose of his own free will to embrace the dogma of the emperor Leo the Isaurian and to cast out the idols.” […]
Britons and Celts
Origins of a Sacred Stone
“If destiny deceives not, the Scots will reign ‘tis said
In that same place where the stone has been laid.” […]
Medieval Mentality
Conversion of the Langobards
“Then one of them drew his sword to cut off his head, but straightway his right hand stiffened while suspended in the act of striking, nor could he draw it back. So he let go of the sword and dropped it upon the ground.” […]
Britons and Celts
Some Dreams End in Death
“It seems to me that dreams are like rumours: you must use your common sense, and then accept some but refuse to believe others.” […]