Invisibility
,according to fable, may be obtained in a multitude of ways. For example:—
Albric’s cloak, called Tarnkappe (3 syl.), which Siegfried got possession of, rendered him invisible. (Nibelungen Lied.)
A capon stone, called “Alectorĭa,” will render any person invisible who carries it about his person. (See Mirror of Stones.)
A dead hand. It is believed that a candle placed in a dead man’s hand gives no light to any but those who use it. (See Hand.)
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Fern-seed, mentioned by Shakespeare, and by Beaumont and Fletcher, possesses the same charm.
Gygesʹ ring, taken from the flanks of a brazen horse, made the wearer invisible, provided he turned the ring inwards.
Helʹiotrope, mentioned by Boccaccio in his Decamĕron (Day viii. 3), is a green stone, which renders a person invisible. So does the herb called heliotrope, according to Solīnus, who says, “Herba etiam ejusdem nomĭnis … cum, a quocumque gestabĭtur, subtrahit visibus obviõrum.” (Georgic, xl.)
The helmet of Perseus (2 syl.) and the helmet of Pluto (called Orci Galĕa), both rendered the wearer invisible. (Classic story.)
Jack the Giant-killer had a cloak of invisibility as well as a cap of knowledge.
Keplein’s mantle. The mantle of Hel Keplein, which belonged to the dwarf-king Laurin, rendered the wearer invisible. (The Heldenbuch; thirteenth century.)
Otnit’s ring. The ring of Otnit, King of Lombardy, according to the Heldenbuch, possessed a similar charm.
