On the Illusions of Demons

THE AUTHOR TO

the Reader.

I set forth the arts of the versatile demon of every kind,
What he is capable of, and what things are rightly denied to him.
The infamous magician is shown, and the wise-woman original: "saga" with a
troubled mind; hence why each is deservedly called a sorceress. sorceress (uenefica): Literally a "poisoner." In Roman law and early modern Latin, the word for one who kills by poison and one who kills by magic was the same, reflecting the belief that harmful magic was a form of secret assault.
There follow in order those driven by various torments
through the demon's cunning, and not without God's permission:
Then you see by what aids of the lawful art The "lawful art" here refers to medicine, which Weyer champions over exorcism.
they can be rightly healed, without the power of an incantation.
Finally, the last section contains what punishment must be set for Magicians, or for Witches,
or for acts of sorcery.

JOHANNES EWICH, DO-

ctor of Medicine.

You who desire to see the demon's origin, his zeal, his powers, and his deceits,
as if in the middle of the midday light:
You who desire to know what the power of incantations is, and how much harm is possible,
if love-potions original: "philtra" prepared in sacred ways are lacking:
You who desire to know those men miserably driven by various torments,
and by what art you might be able to relieve them:
Finally, what punishment for that unspeakable, lawless sect
should be established, so that you may spare the innocent:
Read this book, which Johann Weyer original: "Ianus Vuierus" produced with skill,
judgment, and great diligence.
Live, excellent work, and raise a well-deserved trophy original: "trophæum",
the crowd of Circe’s profane school has been conquered: In Homer's Odyssey, the sorceress Circe turned men into beasts; Ewich uses her here as a symbol for the "school" of practitioners of magic whom Weyer has intellectually defeated.
Live also, Author, happily through eternal years,
the fame of your genius shall not be buried.