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The magician: or, The story of the bleeding finger
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WALLIS’s
JUVENILE. TALES.
THE MAGICIAN}
HE bleeding finger
LOXDON: '
Printed and- Published by James Wallis
77, Berwick Street, Soho.
Price' Threepence.
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WAYNDSTATCUNIVERSITYLIBRARy
3 9343 00742111 7
TUDE10ISDRAMSEYC0LLECTI0N
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THE M-AGflCIAN
OR,. ’
. THE. STORY
OF
THE BLEEDING FINGER
LONDON;
Printed and Published by James Wallis
■77, Berwick-Street, Soho.
Price Threepence*.
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THE STORY
THE BLEEDING FINGER.
There lived a magician in days of
old, who had po’iver over the winds and
waves; whose word could command the
daemons of the deep, and the spirits of
tlvc air durst not disobey his will. This
magician was held to be a sociable, merry,
good sort of a,person when pleased, 1 con
sidering he was a magician; for, yon
must understand, conjurors, wizards, nc- :
cromancers, and magieians, are very tetchy
and revengeful, and never fail to send their
imps arid goblins to torment such asaflVpnt
or use them disrespectfully.
The name of this magician was Tomo-
gorod, which signifies Ent-hini-np; and
lie had a daughter, called TlolakarCC, that
is to say, Blood-sucker, who was an
enchantress. Whenever either of them went
abroad, they had at least one spirit to at-
a 2
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A
THE STORY OF
tend them, who was sometimes disguised:
in the form of a bear, at others of a monkey
or cat, and at others in the likeness of a v
huge mastiff; sometimes, for expedition’s-
sake, they travelled through the air, and
then they were usually drawn by four
flaming torches, followed by fiends in the
shape of tadpoles, who were so numerous,
that their swarms darkened the air.
. Tomogorod, as I have said, was not
much inclined to mischief, unless pro
voked ; but woe be to any one that
affronted him! If he asked a clownish fel
low where he was going, and the lout
returned a saucy answ;er, he would fix him
astride upon the next stile without the-
power of moving, or turn him into a pitch
fork, and give him his own shape again
when any body had stuck him up to the
hilts in a dunghill.. His name denoted-
him to- be a lover of good living, and he
always behaved civilly to such as gave him
the best they had to eat.,
Holakaree, his. daughter, who was of an
ambitious temper, had the wickedness ta
fall in love with the king’s son, a youth;
■ ' ■ \
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THE BLEEDING F1NGEB. 5
of three and twenty, of a sweet disposition,
•and the most charming person in the
world. His name was Dulimond, which
means Dimple-face, and he was the'.sole
heir to the crown. It happened one day,
while he was hunting, that he saw the most
beautiful blue hare run byhim that eyes had
ever beheld ; and he was so charmed with
the appearance of that strange animal,
that he could not forbear leaving his other
sport to follow this new game. He pre
sently lost sight of his courtiers and attend
ants; who, as people often are, were more
intent upon their diversion than their duty.
He followed the animal for more than
half an hour; and being mounted upon
a swift Arabian courser, seemed every
instant to be within a hair’s-breudth of
catching her ; when presently his eye was
attracted by the descent of an eagle, that
darted upon the hare, and rose with an
incredible swiftness, till they were both lost
in the clouds. While the prince stood
gazing, and looking after the eagle and
his prey, which still seemed to remain like
a speck upon his sight, the sky began to
a 3
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6
THE STORY OF
lour, the heavens darkened, and the distant
thunders rolled. The prince looked
round, but saw neither place of refuge
nor human being. The storm increased ;
the elements, with dreadful bursts, seemed
to crack and split over his very head ;
and the fires of the firmament darted their
forked and penetrating essence into the
tom bosom of the earth. But what asto
nished him most, was, that though the
waters seemed to stream from the heavens
on every side of him, not a hair of his head,
nor a thread of his garments, were wet.
The heart of Dulimond was as the heart of
a lion ; he was awed, but not dismayed.
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THE BLEEDING FINGER. 7
While his eyes ivere endeavouring to
trace the uncertain path of the life-snatch
ing lightning, and his ears were filled with
the terrific rumours of the shy, he beheld,
not far above him, a bright cloud, that
seemed in the centre to be a lambent
flame, whence issued a voice loud and
impulsive, but sweet as music in dreams^
wliich pronounced distinctly the following
words:
Beware of her with a golden thumb.
Follow the bleeding finger.
'•Plunge fearless into the lake of bitterness, to reeb-
ver the white wand of Orophalis. . '
. Dangers encompass you ; be virtuous, bold, and
obedient, or you perish.
. The voice ceased, and the rain, and the
thunder,, and the lightning, were no inore ;
the sun was resplendent, the forest was
vanished, and the scene was changed;
Valliesof a thousand different and reviving
shades of green were On every side; aro
matic shrubs, flowers, and various trees,
were scattered round, and distant lakes,
and more distant mountains were,in view.
The prince, filled with wonder at all
A 4
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. THE STORY OF
.these strange ..accidents, was sunk, deep
in reflection;,(insomuch-that his eyes were
fixed-, and his soul absorbed by the cogir
tations of his mind:;,when he was awakened
from his trance by the voice of a lady, who
sweetly and .courteously demanded if he
could direct her to the palace of the Seven
Dragons. . Dulimond started, looked, up,
and was again- fixed in astonishment.
Never before had he beheld such perfec
tions, such grace, such features ! Seated
upon a milk-white courser, -with hair that
descended in waving ringlets upon her
horse’s back, and a face more beauteous
than the face of Nature at the sun’s up
rising, this lady (Seemed like a spirit of
heaven, and .not an inhabitant of the earth.
She was obliged to repeat her : question ;
and the prince, respectfully bowing, an
swered,'he never before had heard of such a
palace. The lady gracefully: inclined her
head, in • token of thanks, and passed
swiftly forward; while the prince, ravished
with the angelic apparition, gave his steed
the rein, kept within sight of her, and for
got the scenes that had so lately happened.
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THE BLEEDING tflNGER.
. They rode this way for more 1 titan an
hour at a hard rate, when they came to a
vast forest. ’ The prince, who had a pierc
ing eye, beheld ah' inscription as he was.
ridiug by the side of 'the forest; ’and
stopping a moment’ in' hopes of learning
some intelligence,' whereby he might
oblige the lady, he read—
Tliis leads to the palace of the Seven Dragons. • .
The prince' immediately' sfct''spurs to
his horse ; and, gently calling '‘after ’the 5
lady, beckoned her to return. She, 1 '• who
seemed to have slackened her-pace ’ when'
Pulimond stopped, presently heard, arid
obeyed. As she approached the prince,
she thanked him with the most 'Vrinriiiig*
words and action ; whilst lie, ravished with
her charms and condescension, prayed to
be permitted to escort her to the palace.
The lady again gave a courteous reply,
and they entered the forest together. They
had not proceeded far before they lost all
sight of the surrounding ; country, ! and
seemed buried in a-gloom so thick that
light could scarcely penetrate;; Aa they
A a
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10
THE STORY OF
rode on., strange noises saluted their ears ; .
sometimes, as it were, the faint grpanings;
of the dying; at others, the fierce bowlings
of wild-beasts- in,torture; and" then againf
like the sudden whizziags of sky-rocketsy?
accompanied with loud, confused and in
numerable shrieks and screams, as. though
the spirits of air were battling; till the very
elements were tormented. Visions, as
strange' as Svere the sounds they heard,
likewise T molested .thfeir journey.’: at one
instant, fa head without a body would seem
to. idance backward before theni, j some
times,. with ghastly looks; and -sometimes
with, grimaces,' mewing at them; at ano
ther, ; serpents, tlie bodies. of which were
black, their eyes flaming, and; their tails
triply diyided with a sting at the end of
eachj seemed to threaten the ; travellers:
but, what was; more remarkable, an urchin
that lay in the path, at the entrance of the
forest; 'became a ball of fire; and rolled
itself along! before them, as if to direct
them in the ;route .they fshould pursue.;*
;’;DulimOftd.;,.w.as not more astonished at
these thing&;-.th an at the behaviour oflthr.
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THE BLEEDING FINGER. ll
lady ; who continued her way undismayed,
and almost without noticing such strange
events, notwithstanding that the daemons
(for the forest was enchanted) became
more dreadfully terrible in their howls and
shrieks, and unnatural shapes, the farther
they proceeded. However, if a,beauteous
and gentle lady had the courage to go on ?
it was not for a prince like Diilimond to
recede! It almost seemed unmanly to
draw his sabre; but from doing this it-yas
scarcely possible to refrain, so fearfully
were they beset. Nor . could the dangers
to which they were exposed hinder 'th&
prince from thinking on-his most -bealiti-r
ful . companion with * rapture. < Her - de
meanour, her form, her wit, and her
fortitude, • made him consider her as a
miracle; and he found his affections so
totally enslaved, as to be absolutely- irre
trievable. / .How could; he .forbear to
admire, when he heard- her; only-utter
some short exclamation at the moment
that the. fiends were most horrible and
insolent, and when he saw her turn and
smile with ineffable sweetness uponlmn,
as it were to wish him not to fear or suffer
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THE STORY OV
black rock, the front of which extended
farther than the sight, and its summit lay
beyond the clouds. As they approached
it, they read in huge and transparent cha
racters—
This is the entrance to the palace of the Seven
Dragons.
On her account? This he esteemed a noble
generosity of soul; and*he could not but
adore her who was capable of such heroic
exertion.
They came at length to the other side
of the forest; and the urchin of fire that
accompanied them bounded from the
earth, and gambolled in the air with a
thousand antic motions. Instead, how
ever, of an open country, they beheld a
%
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THE BLEEDING FINGER. 13
. How, cried Dulimond, this the entrance!
Here is no entrance; this is a vast and
solid rock ! a rock of piarble ; and all the
powers of nature!cannot enter here !
The lady smiled, alighted nimbly from
-her hoVse, approached-the place of the
inscription, .and stretched forth her arm.
She laid her tlmmb, her Golden Thumb,
upon The. marble, when instantaneous
thunder rolled, and the massy front of the
rock opened.
Imagine what was ; the astonishment of
Dulimond, and what his grief, when he
beheld :this miracle performed by the lady
of the .Golden; Thumb ! his heart sunk in
his -bosom, and his arm sunk nerveless by
his side. Yet this was no.time for despon
dency ; danger was before him, behind
him,; and on; every side of him'; and the
crisis of his fate drew; on.
. The chasm • of the rock diad remained,
open;, some minutes, the' prince stood
plunged. in sorrowful suspense, and the
lady seemed attendingon his coming. A
voice proclaimed—.
; Let not such as would,enter the palace of the
Seven Dragons, linger ; for the Rock of Skulls is
about to close. '• ■' ^ '
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THE STORY OF
At the same moment, Dulimond beheld
a naked arm, with the fore-finger slowly-
dropping blood, and pointing the way to
the palace of the Seven Dragons. The
vision, though horrible, gave him plea
sure ; his heart was with the lady ; and he
rejoiced that his duty furnished him with
an excuse to follow his inclinations.
The prince had but just time to. make
the passage of the rock before it shut ; and,
had he been a moment later, it would
have closed upon him : which accident
having happened to many, it was called
the Rock of Skulls. They proceeded on
ward till they came to a bridge, where lay
the Seven Dragons, whence the palace
derived its name. At their approach all
these horrible monsters lashed their pro
digious tails, opened their destructive jaws,
(set all over with teeth like arrows,) and
projected their long and forked tongues ;
and with an insatiate fury were flying
upon Dulimond. Mortal resistance to
such enemies seemed vain, and death in
evitable ; when, at the very instant they
were about to seize on the prince, the lady
held forth the Golden Thumb, and they
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THE BLEEDING EINGER. 15
dropped senseless on the earth in a pro
found sleep..
They passed the bridge, and drew near
to the palace, which was the most superb
that eyes ever beheld. Its magnitude and
architecture filled the mind with grandeur,
and the riches of its ornaments dazzled the
sight to behold. They came at last to a
place where the road divided; one way
went directly forward, and the other de
viated to the left, which led to the palace.
On the confines of the latter stood troops
of nymphs, whom none' could equal in
beauty, the lady ©f the Golden Thumb
alone excepted, and such as imagination
only has seen. Some of them played on
instruments, the sound of which ravished
the ear ; others danced with such a de
lightful motion, as put mortal senses into
a delirium of pleasure. They were come
to meet the lady and the priuce, and this
way were they proceeding when Dulimond
beheld the Bleeding Finger point the con
trary road. Tie stopped, he looked, he
considered, his bosom heaved a profound
sigh, the war within him was strong, and
his body was motionless. The lady did
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THE STORY OF
not persuade him by words, she took a
more powerful method ; her looks, sorrow
ful. and dejected ; her e3 r es, with all the
well-feigned grief of poverty, told him,
that in him was all her happiness centered;
with him she should be. blessed; without
him, . miserable. Neither did she remind
" him of the dangers to which he had been
exposed, and from which lie had been pre
served by her; and therefore dDulimond
remembered them the more forcibly. His
heart was enslaved by her beauty, he could
no longer resist her charms, and again he
began to follow her; when the air was filled
with the most doleful waitings, and the
finger of the naked arm began to stream
with blood.
The heart of Dulimond was strongly vir
tuous ; he had been nurtured in a sublime
morality. The remembrance of the firm
resolution he had so often made to perse
vere amidst all temptations in the paths of
rectitude and honour, came with a gleam
of heroic ardour upon his mind, elevated
his soul, and made it equal to.the glorious'
contest. He turned his eyes from the
witcheries of passion and pleasure, and with
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THE BLEEDING FINGER. 17
a determined spirit followed the naked arm;
the blood again more slowly dropped ; but
the,"vast eoneave of the sky became tor
tured with shrieks, cries, and howlings, so
piercing, that distraction would have seized
any one of less virtue and courage than
Dulimond..
Undauntedly did he follow his bleeding
guide, though the fiends now transformed
them selves into ten thousandhideousshapes,
and chattered at, insulted, and assaulted
him, with a hundred-fold more malignity
• and fury than they did in his passage
through the enchanted-forest; He came-
at length, to. the lake of Bitterness ; but
who can describe the dreadful, horrible,
and disgusting animals,; by which its win
ters were guarded ! Gn'the surface, vipers,
water-snakes, and dun-coloured serpents,
hissed terror with their forked"tongues. At
the borders lay toads -with staring eyes and
vast bloated bodies - their mouths just
above the water, diving sometimes beneatlr
the slimy sedge, while the lake bubbled-
poison, and again ascending, to the water’s;
edge.. The bottom was covered over witli
lizards, newts, and efts,, darting upon their;
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THE STORY OP
prey ; reptiles with speckled bellies aud a
hundred legs, that shot swift as an arrow
from a bow, whither their voracity orma-
lice willed; and spiders so huge’and in
flated, that the shagged hair of their bodies
wa^ like the bristles of the hunted boar;
and their eyes globular and projecting,
were as the eyes of tygers watching whom
they might devour.
All these, and innumerable others for
which nature has no likeness, immediately
on the approach ofDulimond, ceased their
obscene sports and rancorous wars on one
another ; and with their million mouths
came in voracious swarm's, as if in expecta
tion of their prej*. Humanity shuddered,
and shrunk : it was a sight of horror.
The naked arm, in the mean time, rested
over the centre of the lake, the finger ceased
to bleed, and pointed downward. Thither
the prince cast his eye, and beheld the
white wand of Orophalis : lie stayed not to
consider on danger; he quitted his steed,
and threw himself fearless into the Lake of
Bitterness. Ilis arm divided the waters ;
and though his body seemed to be pene
trated and torn by a host of these devour-
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THE BLEEDING FINGER. 19
ing reptiles, he still had the power to-
proceech He arrived at the spot; and,
unterrified, plunged to the bottom. The '
earth shook; the heavens were on fire ; and
Nature seemed to groan as though her end
were come. He seized the wand ; and lo ! .
the lake was no more ! He stood upon dry
land, his enemies were annihilated, and
himself unhurt.
While he stood considering these things
he heard a sound of a multitude singing,
‘ Praises to the valorous Prince Dulimond,
who hath broken the charms of wickedness,
who hath delivered us from the spells of Ho-
lakaree.’ He turned, and saw coming to
wards him troops of knights and ladies;
and, at their head, a venerable old man,
leading, as he thought, .the Lady of the
Golden Thumb. ,
‘Fear not, valorous prince,’said.the aged
knight • ‘your trials are past, and your re
ward is come : this virgin is no enchantress.’
, The happiness of Dulimond was extreme,
when lie was informed that Holakaree had
assumed the beauteous form of Bellimante;
that the vile enchantress was now no more. ;r
that'his valour and ; virtue had freed the
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20 THE BLEEDING FINGER.
most angelic princess of the universe, her
father, and many other noble knights and
ladies who had fallen in her snares; and,
in his transport, he east himself at Belli-
mante’s feet, and kissed her virgin hand,,
which he was in extasy to find was not now
stigmatized by the Golden Thumb.
As for the magician Tomogorod, he be
came disconsolate for the loss of his daugh
ter ; and some say he now wanders over
the face of the earth without a, settled
habitation, and that he is always attended
by one faithful daemon, that assists him in
his wants,, and revenges him upon his
enemies..
THE END*
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