_Van._ The cabalists that write of magic spells, As Hermes,[211] Melchie,[212] and Pythagoras, Affirm that, 'mongst the quadruplicity Of elemental essence, _terra_ is but thought To be a _punctum_ squarèd to[213] the rest; And that the compass of ascending elements Exceed in bigness as they do in height; Judging the concave circle of the sun To hold the rest in his circumference. If, then, as Hermes says, the fire be greatest, Purest, and only giveth shape to spirits, Then must these dæmones that haunt that place Be every way superior to the rest. _Bun._ I reason not of elemental shapes, Nor tell I of the concave latitudes, Noting their essence nor their quality, But of the spirits that pyromancy calls, And of the vigour of the geomantic fiends. I tell thee, German, magic haunts the ground, And those strange necromantic spells That work such shows and wondering in the world Are acted by those geomantic spirits That Hermes calleth _terræ filii_. The fiery spirits are but transparent shades, That lightly pass as heralds to bear news; But earthly fiends, clos'd in the lowest deep, Dissever mountains, if they be but charg'd, Being more gross and massy in their power. _Van._ Rather these earthly geomantic spirits Are dull and like the place where they remain; For when proud Lucifer fell from the heavens, The spirits and angels that did sin with him, Retain'd their local essence as their faults, All subject under Luna's continent: They which offended less hung in the fire, And second faults did rest within the air; But Lucifer and his proud-hearted fiends Were thrown into the centre of the earth, Having less understanding than the rest, As having greater sin and lesser grace. Therefore such gross and earthly spirits do serve For jugglers, witches, and vile sorcerers; Whereas the pyromantic genii Are mighty, swift, and of far-reaching power. But grant that geomancy hath most force; Bungay, to please these mighty potentates, Prove by some instance what thy art can do. _Bun._ I will. _Emp._ Now, English Harry, here begins the game; We shall see sport between these learnèd men. _Van._ What wilt thou do? _Bun._ Show thee the tree, leav'd with refinèd gold, Whereon the fearful dragon held his seat, That watch'd the garden call'd Hesperides, Subdu'd and won by conquering Hercules. _Here_ BUNGAY _conjures, and the Tree appears with the Dragon shooting fire._ _Van._ Well done! _K. Hen._ What say you, royal lordings, to my friar? Hath he not done a point of cunning skill?