Papyri graecae magicae VII.429-58
A restraining [rite] for anything, works even on chariots. It also
causes enmity and sickness, cuts down, destroys, and overturns, for [whatever]
you wish. The spell [in it], when said, conjures daimons [out] and makes them
enter [objects or people]. Engrave in a plate [made] of lead from a cold-water
channel what you want to happen, and when you have consecrated it with bitter
aromatics such as myrrh, bdellium, styrax, and aloes and thyme, with river mud,
late in the evening or in the middle of the night, where there is a stream or
the drain of a bath, having tied a cord [to the plate] throw it into the stream
-- or into the sea -- [and let it] be carried along. Use the cord so that, when
you wish, you can undo [the spell]. Then should you wish to break [the spell],
untie the plate. Say the formula seven times and you will see something
wonderful. Then go away without turning back or giving an answer to anyone, and
when you have washed and immersed yourself, go up to your own [room] and rest,
and use [only] vegetable food. Write [the spell] with a headless bronze needle. The text to be written is: "I conjure you, lord Osiris, by your
holy names OUCHIOCH OUSENARATH, Osiris, OUSERRANNOUPHTHI OSORNOUPHE
Osiris-Mnevis, OUSERSETEMENTH AMARA MACHI CHOMASO EMMAI SERBONI EMER Isis,
ARATOPHI ERACHAX ESEO IOTH ARBIOTHI AMEN CH[N]OUM (?) MONMONT OUZATHI PER
OUNNEPHER EN OOO, I give over to you, lord Osiris, and I deposit with you this
matter:" [Here one would write what effect the spell should have and on whom.] But if you cause [the plate] to be buried or [sunk in] river or land or sea
or stream or coffin or in a well, write the Orphic formula, saying, "ASKEI KAI
TASKEI" and, taking a black thread, make 365 knots and bind [the thread] around
the outside of the plate, saying the same formula again and, "Keep him who is
held" (or "bound"), or whatever you do. And thus the plate is deposited. For
Selene, when she goes through the underworld, breaks whatever [spell] she finds.
But when this [rite] has been performed, [the spell] remains [unbroken] so long
as you say over [the formula] daily at this spot [where the plate is deposited].
Do not hastily share [this information] with anyone, for you will find [its like
(?) only] with much labor. (trans. Morton Smith in H.D. Betz (1986))