Bellaria again invoked Mercury, who descended like the wind in a leap, even as a man leaps down and alights on earth.
“Grazia à Dio!
Io ho l’ ideà!”“Thanks to God divine!
The idea is mine!”
And so Giovanni made the beautiful statue of Mercury in bronze; and so long as the Tuscans worshipped their idols it was wont to dance, but after they ceased this worship, it danced no more. [At present, the beautiful statue of Mercury in bronze is in the Bargello.]
It is said that Bellaria is the sister of Mercury, and that both fly in the air. When the Fate or fairies, or good witches die, Bellaria descends, and then bears their souls to heaven.
Mercury is the god of all people who are in haste, who have occasion to go rapidly—as, for instance, those who wish to send a letter quickly and receive a speedy reply. To do this, you must have an image of Mercury cast in bronze, and it must be made to shine like silver, with a bright colour like a looking-glass; [159] and this should be worshipped before going to bed, and on rising in the morning adore it again. And to invoke Mercury, this is the manner: You must have a basin full of water, taken from a stream when agitated (i.e., running water), and in the evening, as in the morning, take that basin and make a cross on the earth where you kneel down, and then say:
“Acqua corrente
E vento furente,
Avanti la statua di Mercurio
Mi inghinnocchio, perche Mercurio,
E il mio idole, Mercurio!
E il mio dio;
Acqua corrente
E vento furente,
Infuriate Mercurio
A farmi questa grazia!”“Running water, raging wind!
Before the form of Mercury I kneel,
For Mercury is my idol and my god!
Running water, raging wind,
Inspire great Mercury
To do what I desire!”
Then you shall pause and sing again:
“Mercurio, Mercurio!
Tu che siei il mio Dio!
Fammi questa grazia
Che io ti chiedo,
Se questa grazia a me concedi
Tre cose fammi vedere;
Tuono, lampo e vento infuriato!”“Mercury, Mercury divine!
Who ever art a god of mine!
Grant me that which I do need,
And if’t be given me indeed,
Cause me then three things to see—
The lightning’s flash,
The thunder crash,
And the wind roaring furiously!”
And where the water from the running stream has been poured it must be carefully covered over, so that no one can tread thereon, or else from that time the favour of Mercury will cease.