at the puissant and mighty
Lord of Cartillon lay dying in sin, possessed of frenzies and fiends,
and stood in need most urgent of extreme unction, we deliberated
thereupon together.

"Hurry, haste, good fathers, ere it be too late; we have here two stout
palfreys to bear you to his couch."

The Abbot having in due season come forth from his closet, we were
commanded to go forthwith to minister to the needs of the noble Count.

Provided with holy oil, and the ritual for casting out demons, bearing
a piece of the true cross, before which no evil being can prevail, we
rode away at so rough a pace withal, through constant urging and
imprecations of the men at arms, as caused us to be sorely shaken and
disturbed, both in mind and body.

Arrived at Cartillon, we made great speed to repair to his bedside,
where, of a truth, the man lay flat of his back, weak in flesh, but
stout and rebellious of soul, contrary to the doctrines of our most
blessed religion.

Before he caught sight of us, he moaned and heaved, pointing his
fingers ever out of the window, and uttering strange heathen
blasphemies--whereat we crossed ourselves piously.

Following the direction of his gaze we saw naught save the starlit dome
of heaven.

The eyes of the demon gave him power to see diabolical and unclean
forms.

Sorely distracted thereat, he cried out in direst fear:

"Hence! Hence! Seek my mother in Hell, for it was her doing. I would
have spared the women."

The man being clearly possessed of an evil demon, we immediately made
ready the sacred offices of the church for the casting out of such.

Believing from the demon voice issuing through the possessed man's lips
that it was the woman fiend, Lilith, who in female guise doth walk the
earth in darkness, we resorted with much speed to the office specially
prepared for that evil and depraved being.

The holy ritual was being devoutly read by Brother Anselmo, when the
man, turning in his couch, caught sight of us at our sacred labors. He
thereupon, with many profane and blasphemous oaths, bade us cease and
begone.

"Out! Out upon you, thou shaveling hypocrites! Thinkest thou I am
become a helpless woman to profit of thy mummeries? No, by the body of
Jupiter. Get out! get out!"

"Oh, weak and rebellious son of Holy Church, calm thy troubled spirit
and take unto thyself the most blessed peace of God. Repent thine
errors, and prepare thy mind for the Paradise of the just."

V