_Of the Threefold Plagues of Hibernia._
Even from the time of its original inhabitants, did Hibernia labor
under a threefold plague: a swarm of poisonous creatures, whereof the
number could not be counted; a great concourse of demons visibly
appearing; and a multitude of evil-doers and magicians. And these
venomous and monstrous creatures, rising out of the earth and out of
the sea, so prevailed over the whole island that they not only wounded
men and animals with their deadly sting, but slayed them with cruel
bitings, and not seldom rent and devoured their members. And the
demons, who by the power of idolatry dwelled in superstitious hearts,
showed themselves unto their worshippers in visible forms; often
likewise did they, as if they were offended, injure them with many
hurts; unto whom, being appeased with sacrifices, offerings, or evil
works, they seemed to extend the grace of health or of safety, while
they only ceased from doing harm. And after was beheld such a
multitude of these, flying in the air or walking on the earth, that the
island was deemed incapable of containing so many; and therefore was it
accounted the habitation of demons, and their peculiar possession.
Likewise the crowd of magicians, evil-doers, and soothsayers had
therein so greatly increased as the history of not any other nation
doth instance.