The rest were all born in the ordinary
course of time.
The story of the enchanted soldier remains one of the popular
traditions of Granada, though told in a variety of ways; the common
people affirm that he still mounts guard on midsummer eve beside the
gigantic stone pomegranate on the Bridge of the Darro, but remains
invisible excepting to such lucky mortal as may possess the seal of
Solomon.
Notes to "The Enchanted Soldier".
Among the ancient superstitions of Spain, were those of the
existence of profound caverns in which the magic arts were taught,
either by the devil in person, or some sage devoted to his service.
One of the most famous of these caves, was at Salamanca. Don Francisco
de Torreblanca makes mention of it in the first book of his work on
Magic. The devil was said to play the part of Oracle there, giving
replies to those who repaired thither to propound fateful questions,
as in the celebrated cave of Trophonius. Don Francisco, though he
records this story, does not put faith in it; he gives it however as
certain, that a Sacristan, named Clement Potosi, taught secretly the
magic arts in that cave. Padre Feyjoo, who inquired into the matter,
reports it as a vulgar belief that the devil himself taught those arts
there, admitting only seven disciples at a time, one of whom, to be
determined by lot, was to be devoted to him body and soul for ever.
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