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concealed through inattention； which the diligence of posterity will bring to light； for； as necessity first taught the ancients to discover the conveniences of life； so industry； and a greater acuteness of intellect； have laid open many things to the moderns； as the poet says； assigning two causes for these discoveries；
〃 … labor omnia vincit Improbus； et duris urgens in rebus egestas。〃
It is worthy of observation； that there lived in the neighbourhood of this City of Legions； in our time； a Welshman named Melerius； who； under the following circumstances； acquired the knowledge of future and occult events。 Having； on a certain night； namely that of Palm Sunday； met a damsel whom he had long loved； in a pleasant and convenient place； while he was indulging in her embraces； suddenly； instead of a beautiful girl； he found in his arms a hairy； rough； and hideous creature； the sight of which deprived him of his senses； and he became mad。 After remaining many years in this condition； he was restored to health in the church of St。 David's； through the merits of its saints。 But having always an extraordinary familiarity with unclean spirits； by seeing them； knowing them； talking with them； and calling each by his proper name； he was enabled； through their assistance； to foretel future events。 He was； indeed； often deceived （as they are） with respect to circumstances at a great distance of time or place； but was less mistaken in affairs which were likely to happen nearer； or within the space of a year。 The spirits appeared to him； usually on foot； equipped as hunters； with horns suspended from their necks； and truly as hunters； not of animals； but of souls。 He particularly met them near monasteries and monastic cells； for where rebellion exists； there is the greatest need of armies and strength。 He knew when any one spoke falsely in his presence； for he saw the devil； as it were； leaping and exulting upon the tongue of the liar。 If he looked on a book faultily or falsely written； or containing a false passage； although wholly illiterate； he would point out the place with his finger。 Being questioned how he could gain such knowledge； he said that he was directed by the demon's finger to the place。 In the same manner； entering into the dormitory of a monastery； he indicated the bed of any monk not sincerely devoted to religion。 He said； that the spirit of gluttony and surfeit was in every respect sordid； but that the spirit of luxury and lust was more beautiful than others in appearance； though in fact most foul。 If the evil spirits oppressed him too much； the Gospel of St。 John was placed on his bosom； when； like birds； they immediately vanished； but when that book was removed； and the History of the Britons； by Geoffrey Arthur； ｛75｝ was substituted in its place； they instantly reappeared in greater numbers； and remained a longer time than usual on his body and on the book。
It is worthy of remark； that Barnabas placed the Gospel of St。 Matthew upon sick persons； and they were healed； from which； as well as from the foregoing circumstance； it appears how great a dignity and reverence is due to the sacred books of the gospel； and with what danger and risk of damnation every one who swears falsely by them； deviates from the paths of truth。 The fall of Enoch； abbot of Strata Marcella； ｛76｝ too well known in Wales； was revealed to many the day after it happened； by Melerius； who； being asked how he knew this circumstance； said； that a demon came to him disguised as a hunter； and； exulting in the prospect of such a victory； foretold the ruin of the abbot； and explained in what manner he would make him run away with a nun from the monastery。 The end in view was probably the humiliation and correction of the abbot； as was proved from his shortly returning home so humbled and amended； that he scarcely could be said to have erred。 Seneca says； 〃He falls not badly； who rises stronger from his fall。〃 Peter was more strenuous after his denial of Christ； and Paul after being stoned； since； where sin abounds； there will grace also superabound。 Mary Magdalen was strengthened after her frailty。 He secretly revealed to Canon； the good and religious abbot of Alba…domus； his opinion of a certain woman whom he had seen； upon which the holy man confessed； with tears in his eyes； his predilection for her； and received from three priests the discipline of incontinence。 For as that long and experienced subtle enemy； by arguing from certain conjectural signs； may foretell future by past events； so by insidious treachery and contrivance； added to exterior appearances； he may sometimes be able to discover the interior workings of the mind。
At the same time there was in Lower Gwent a demon incubus； who； from his love for a certain young woman； and frequenting the place where she lived； often conversed with men； and frequently discovered hidden things and future events。 Melerius being interrogated concerning him； said he knew him well； and mentioned his name。 He affirmed that unclean spirits conversed with mankind before war； or any great internal disturbance； which was shortly afterwards proved； by the destruction of the province by Howel； son of Iorwerth of Caerleon。 At the same time； when king Henry II。； having taken the king of Scotland prisoner； had restored peace to his kingdom； Howel； fearful of the royal revenge for the war he had waged； was relieved from his difficulties by these comfortable words of Melerius： 〃Fear not；〃 says he； 〃Howel； the wrath of the king； since he must go into other parts。 An important city which he possesses beyond sea is now besieged by the king of France； on which account he will postpone every other business； and hasten thither with all possible expedition。〃 Three days afterwards； Howel received advice that this event had really come to pass； owing to the siege of the city of Rouen。 He forewarned also Howel of the betraying of his castle at Usk； a long time before it happened； and informed him that he should be wounded； but not mortally； and that he should escape alive from the town。 In this alone he was deceived； for he soon after died of the same wound。 Thus does that archenemy favour his friends for a time； and thus does he at last reward them。
In all these singular events it appears to me most wonderful that he saw those spirits so plainly with his carnal eyes； because spirits cannot be discerned by the eyes of mortals； unless they assume a corporeal substance； but if in order to be seen they had assumed such a substance； how could they remain unperceived by other persons who were present？ Perhaps they were seen by such a miraculous vision as when king Balthazar saw the hand of one writing on the wall； 〃Mane； Techel； Phares；〃 that is； weighed； numbered； divided； who in the same night lost both his kingdom and his life。 But Cambria well knows how in these districts； from a blind desire of dominion； a total dissolution of the endearing ties of consanguinity； and a bad and depraved example diffused throughout the country； good faith has been so shamefully perverted and abused。
CHAPTER VI
Newport and Caerdyf
At Newport； where the river Usk； descending from its origin