n that but few remained, and those were at a
distance. When the necromancer had concluded his ceremonies he put off
his wizard's robe, and packed up a great bundle of books which he had
brought with him; then all together we issued with him from the
circle, huddling as close as we could to one another, especially the
boy, who had got into the middle, and taken the necromancer by his
gown and me by the cloak. All the while that we were going toward our
houses in the Banchi he kept saying that two of the devils he had seen
in the Coliseum were gamboling in front of us, skipping now along the
roofs and now upon the ground. The necromancer assured me that often
as he had entered magic circles, he had never met with such a serious
affair as this. He also tried to persuade me to assist him in
consecrating a book, by means of which we should extract immeasurable
wealth, since we could call up fiends to show us where treasures were,
whereof the earth is full; and after this wise we should become the
richest of mankind: love affairs like mine were nothing but vanities
and follies without consequence. I replied that if I were a Latin
scholar I should be very willing to do what he suggested. He continued
to persuade me by arguing that Latin scholarship was of no importance,
and that if he wanted, he could have found plenty of good Latinists;
but that he had never met with a man of soul so firm as mine, and that
I ought to follow his counsel. Engaged in this conversation, we
reached our homes, and each one of us dreamed all that night of
devils.

As we were in the habit of meeting daily, the necromancer kept urging
me to join in his adventure. Accordingly I asked him how long it would
take, and where we should have to go. To this he answered that we
might get through with it in less than a month, and that the most
suitable locality for the purpose was the hill country of Norcia: a
master of his in the art had indeed consecrated such a book quite
close to Rome, at a place called the Badia di Farfa; but he had met
with some difficulties there, which would not occur in the mountains
of Norcia: the peasants also of that district are people to be
trusted, and have some practice in these matters, so that at a pinch
they are able to render valuable assistance.

This priestly sorcerer moved me so by his persuasions that I was well
disposed to comply with his request; but I said I wanted first to
finish the medals I was making for the Pop