On Witches and Female Soothsayers

¶ Sixth: whether the devil, by acting as an incubus A male demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women. in human form, can mingle with such witches and wicked women.

¶ Seventh: whether it is possible for children to be procreated from such a union.

¶ Eighth: whether enchantresses and soothsaying women original: "phitonice," referring to the Pythia or Delphic style of divination. can, with the help of demons, know secrets, reveal the councils of princes, and predict future events.

¶ Ninth: whether by a just judgment such bewitched and criminal women can be burned or afflicted with other punishments.

☞ Sigismund: Ulric, our faithful and beloved Doctor, because we regard you with singular favor for your merits toward us, we have decided to debate with you above all others concerning the present subject matter. ☞ Ulric: Most illustrious Prince, although it is pleasing that in your mercy toward me you have judged me worthy to be included in the debate, nevertheless—behold—here is Conrad Schatz, the judge original: "pretor," a high-ranking civic official or magistrate. of my city. He is a man of outstanding intellect and sharp in conversation, and my close companion. May it please you, therefore, to first test his industry on this matter. ☞ Sigismund: It pleases me, for I know him to be mature in counsel and witty in conversation. Therefore, since we must have a discussion concerning the crimes of witches original: "laniarum," likely a variant of "lamiarum," referring to female man-eating demons or witches. and enchantresses, I have thought it first to be asked: Whether by the deeds of witches, thunder, rain, and hail can be provoked? ☞ Conrad: Although in a difficulty of this kind—which even the most learned men are accustomed to be deterred from discussing—I consider myself ignorant, according to the word of Socrates, who was accustomed to say that he knew only this: that he did not know original: "hoc solum scire quod nesciret."; nevertheless, lest I seem not to acquiesce to the commands of a clement Prince, I will speak a few words to give a beginning to moving greater things. ☞ Sigismund: Speak then. ☞ Conrad: Among the people a proverb is worn by speech: that a rumor which everyone reports is not entirely lost. Moreover, the common rumor is that these very witches have brought about thunder and hail, and have caused great damage to crops and men—