Chapter
XXXII.—Imitations of Thunder, and Other Illusions.
Thunder is produced in many ways; for stones very
numerous and unusually large, being rolled downwards along wooden
planks, fall upon plates of brass, and cause a sound similar to
thunder. And also around the thin plank with which carders
thicken cloth, they coil a thin rope; and then drawing away the cord
with a whirr, they spin the plank round, and in its revolution it emits
a sound like thunder. These farces, verily, are played off
thus.
There are, however, other practices which 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:—
“The child once slain, again of Phœbus
deathless made,
I call to come, and aid my sacrificial rites;
Who, also, once the countless tribes of fleeting
dead,
In ever-mournful homes of Tartarus wide,
The fatal billow breasting, and the inky flood
Surmounting, where all of mortal mould must float,
Torn, beside the lake, with endless grief and woe,
Thyself didst snatch from gloomy Proserpine.
Or whether the seat of Holy Thrace thou haunt, or
lovely
Pergamos, or besides Ionian Epidaurus,
The chief of seers, O happy God, invites thee
here.”