travelling into Sussex, happened to lodge in an inn, and to lie in a
chamber thereof; wherein, not many months before, a country grazier had
lain, and in the night cut his own throat; after this night's lodging,
he was perpetually, and for many years, followed by a spirit, which
vocally and articulately provoked him to cut his throat: he was used
frequently to say, 'I defy thee, I defy thee,' and to spit at the
spirit; this spirit followed him many years, he not making any body
acquainted with it; at last he grew melancholy and discontented; which
being carefully observed by his wife, she many times hearing him
pronounce, 'I defy thee,' &c. she desired him to acquaint her with the
cause of his distemper, which he then did. Away she went to Dr. Simon
Forman, who lived then in Lambeth, and acquaints him with it; who having
framed this sigil, and hanged it about his neck, he wearing it
continually until he died, was never more molested by the spirit: I sold
the sigil for thirty-two shillings, but transcribed the words _verbatim_
as I have related. Sir, you shall now have a story of this Simon Forman,
as his widow, whom I well knew, related it unto me. But before I relate
his death, I shall acquaint you something of the man, as I have gathered
them from some manuscripts of his own writing.


OF DR. SIMON FORMAN


He was a chandler's son in the city of Westminster. He travelled into
Holland for a month, in 1580, purposely to be instructed in astrology,
and other more occult sciences; as also in physick, taking his degree of
Doctor beyond seas: being sufficiently furnished and instructed with
what he desired, he returned into England, towards the latter end of the
reign of Queen Elizabeth, and flourished until that year of King James,