Therfore would I haue thee (my deare wife) go to the Prophet Merlin, and of him learne the cause of thy barrennesse, and our wants in hauing children; he is a man, rather a diuell or spirit, cunning in all Arts and Professions, all sciences, secrets and discoueries, a comurer, an inchanter, a charmer, hee consorts with Elues and Fayries, a Commaunder of Goblins, and a worker of Night-wonders: hee can shew the secrets of Nature, calculate childrens Birthes, and no doubt, but discouer the cause of thy barrennesse, and bee a meanes to procreate vs children : Away, and of him procure this good blessing of a child, be hee no bigger then my very Thumbe.

The History of Tom Thumbe (1621)