thing_n be_v strange_a so_o most_o strange_a be_v it_o that_o the_o tomb_n and_o the_o entomb_v carcase_n be_v one_o and_o that_o inseparable_o also_o upon_o the_o tomb_n i_o find_v write_v a_o prophecy_n viz._n that_o they_o if_o the_o fire_n be_v keep_v equal_a and_o continual_a shall_v rise_v again_o and_o be_v more_o glorious_a and_o powerful_a than_o ever_o they_o be_v before_o then_o say_v i_o to_o the_o voice_n which_o be_v in_o the_o glass_n i_o must_v be_v direct_v both_o what_o and_o how_o and_o when_o to_o do_v the_o voice_n answer_v i_o take_v no_o care_n only_o do_v as_o i_o shall_v direct_v and_o all_o shall_v be_v well_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n you_o may_v view_v the_o place_n that_o be_v about_o only_o be_v sure_a that_o you_o neglect_v not_o your_o time_n of_o attend_v here_o and_o for_o to_o take_v away_o the_o tediousness_n which_o the_o length_n of_o time_n will_v otherwise_o work_v ask_v of_o i_o and_o i_o shall_v inform_v you_o in_o whatever_o you_o desire_v nor_o shall_v i_o think_v my_o discourse_n to_o i_o a_o burden_n so_o you_o will_v not_o think_v your_o labour_n a_o trouble_n then_o say_v i_o not_o so_o though_o i_o shall_v be_v bind_v to_o serve_v you_o during_o my_o whole_a life_n yet_o shall_v i_o count_v it_o a_o privilege_n not_o a_o burden_n then_o she_o give_v unto_o i_o as_o it_o be_v a_o ball_n of_o fine_a silk_n wound_v up_o as_o on_o a_o bottom_n and_o say_v make_v this_o fast_o to_o a_o pin_n of_o this_o tower_n and_o then_o go_v round_o and_o behold_v the_o place_n it_o may_v shorten_v the_o time_n to_o you_o carry_v this_o bottom_n with_o you_o and_o unwind_v it_o as_o you_o go_v and_o by_o it_o you_o may_v return_v till_o you_o know_v the_o place_n but_o do_v not_o after_o the_o common_a guise_n then_o i_o pass_v along_o and_o be_v no_o soon_o out_o of_o that_o place_n but_o a_o very_a thick_a misty_a darkness_n apprehend_v i_o so_o thick_a that_o i_o may_v fell_v it_o and_o though_o my_o head_n be_v as_o it_o be_v transparent_a and_o very_a light_n and_o i_o take_v also_o a_o candle_n with_o i_o which_o be_v burn_v there_o continual_o at_o the_o entrance_n of_o the_o tower_n yet_o the_o darkness_n be_v such_o that_o it_o will_v not_o receive_v the_o light_n for_o they_o be_v not_o homogenial_a but_o be_v a_o little_a disjoined_n by_o the_o ray_n of_o the_o light_n and_o as_o it_o be_v here_o and_o there_o condense_v into_o strange_a figure_n as_o of_o bird_n beast_n and_o creep_a thing_n of_o monstrous_a shape_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o this_o opposition_n the_o ray_n of_o the_o light_n extend_v but_o a_o little_a way_n and_o the_o light_n most_o clear_a do_v shoot_v as_o it_o be_v in_o beam_n and_o the_o darkness_n stand_v as_o it_o be_v in_o cluster_n by_o itself_o there_o be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o multitude_n of_o man_n who_o see_v my_o light_n in_o my_o hand_n which_o they_o can_v not_o discern_v well_o they_o be_v in_o that_o dark_a which_o will_v not_o be_v enlighten_v but_o as_o through_o a_o thick_a cloud_n they_o behold_v my_o candle_n and_o judge_v it_o ominous_a and_o leave_v their_o station_n for_o their_o eye_n with_o dark_a and_o smoke_n be_v so_o tender_a that_o my_o candle_n overpoured_n they_o and_o they_o can_v not_o bear_v its_o lustre_n therefore_o they_o cry_v out_o run_v away_o i_o muse_v much_o at_o this_o how_o they_o can_v be_v in_o such_o cimmerian_a darkness_n and_o as_o i_o wonder_v i_o espy_v that_o they_o have_v with_o they_o light_a as_o it_o be_v of_o fox-fire_n or_o rot_a wood_n and_o glow-worm_n tail_n and_o with_o this_o they_o sit_v in_o consultation_n read_v geber_n rhasis_n and_o such_o who_o i_o hear_v they_o name_n and_o comment_v on_o they_o not_o without_o much_o pleasantness_n then_o i_o consider_v that_o the_o light_n which_o i_o have_v bring_v with_o i_o do_v not_o enlighten_v the_o place_n but_o stand_v separate_v as_o it_o be_v from_o the_o darkness_n and_o withal_o i_o remember_v that_o once_o there_o be_v light_n in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o darkness_n comprehend_v it_o not_o and_o that_o darkness_n have_v a_o false_a fire_n light_n of_o its_o own_o with_o which_o it_o seem_v to_o its_o inhabitant_n wondrous_a well_o enlighten_v i_o set_v down_o my_o candle_n and_o go_v with_o my_o thread_n in_o my_o hand_n by_o which_o i_o intend_v to_o return_v when_o i_o be_v go_v out_o of_o sight_n of_o my_o candle_n my_o head_n begin_v to_o seem_v as_o it_o be_v opacous_a and_o a_o wind_n have_v almost_o blow_v i_o down_o then_o i_o take_v my_o bottom_n of_o thread_n and_o make_v it_o fast_o to_o my_o girdle_n lest_o it_o may_v drop_v out_o of_o my_o hand_n and_o well_o it_o be_v that_o i_o do_v so_o for_o soon_o a_o vertigo_n come_v upon_o i_o and_o i_o fall_v and_o slumber_v and_o when_o i_o awake_v methinks_v it_o be_v no_o more_o darkness_n but_o daylight_n about_o i_o i_o wonder_v at_o the_o very_a strange_a change_n and_o still_o feel_v for_o my_o thread_n which_o by_o that_o light_n i_o can_v not_o see_v but_o only_o feel_v it_o i_o begin_v to_o look_v about_o i_o to_o see_v where_o i_o be_v and_o behold_v i_o be_v in_o a_o ruinous_a place_n of_o many_o million_o of_o turn_n each_o lead_v several_a way_n and_o every_o room_n be_v so_o enlighten_v with_o fox-fire_n and_o glowworm-tail_n that_o for_o want_v of_o a_o better_a light_n it_o seem_v as_o if_o it_o be_v day_n i_o take_v out_o of_o my_o pocket_n a_o small_a book_n to_o see_v if_o i_o can_v read_v in_o it_o it_o be_v call_v enchiridion_n physicae_fw-la restitutae_fw-la with_o a_o arcanum_n at_o the_o end_n of_o it_o and_o i_o can_v not_o read_v one_o word_n in_o it_o there_o meet_v i_o a_o man_n age_a and_o decrepit_a his_o face_n rugged_a his_o eye_n blear_v his_o hand_n and_o finger_n corrade_v and_o salute_v i_o and_o say_v merry_o what_o book_n have_v you_o there_o it_o be_v say_v i_o arcanum_n hermeticum_n it_o be_v a_o good_a book_n say_v he_o he_o and_o sendivow_n be_v the_o two_o best_a that_o ever_o write_v i_o but_o say_v i_o i_o go_v to_o peruse_v my_o book_n and_o i_o can_v read_v not_o one_o word_n in_o it_o that_o be_v strange_a quoth_v he_o let_v i_o see_v it_o then_o i_o show_v it_o he_o and_o he_o read_v out_o of_o it_o such_o strange_a thing_n that_o i_o never_o have_v hear_v of_o before_o and_o sandivogius_n say_v he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n then_o he_o begin_v to_o read_v in_o he_o and_o read_v such_o process_n that_o i_o have_v never_o hear_v of_o i_o do_v remember_v well_o the_o author_n and_o what_o they_o write_v but_o never_o to_o my_o remembrance_n do_v i_o find_v what_o you_o read_v in_o they_o say_v i._o look_v on_o they_o yourself_o say_v he_o and_o you_o shall_v find_v it_o plain_a i_o go_v to_o look_v on_o the_o book_n but_o can_v not_o distinguish_v any_o word_n in_o it_o which_o make_v i_o wonder_n then_o i_o think_v with_o myself_o that_o as_o that_o light_n have_v a_o peculiar_a difference_n from_o that_o light_n which_o i_o see_v about_o the_o tower_n where_o i_o be_v before_o so_o it_o may_v have_v its_o peculiar_a object_n this_o opinion_n i_o have_v confirm_v by_o this_o for_o that_o have_v geber_n and_o rhasis_n with_o i_o i_o try_v how_o i_o can_v read_v there_o and_o all_o the_o process_n i_o can_v read_v very_o well_o only_o some_o place_n seem_v as_o it_o be_v leave_v out_o and_o a_o distance_n of_o white_a leave_v i_o know_v that_o my_o book_n be_v perfect_a and_o some_o of_o the_o place_n which_o be_v as_o they_o seem_v to_o i_o leave_v out_o i_o remember_v very_o well_o to_o be_v those_o place_n in_o which_o the_o truth_n be_v couch_v in_o few_o word_n then_o i_o return_v by_o my_o thread_n to_o my_o candle_n and_o straight_o my_o head_n return_v to_o its_o former_a diaphanity_n i_o take_v my_o candle_n in_o my_o way_n and_o of_o a_o sudden_a all_o my_o place_n that_o seem_v light_v before_o return_v to_o be_v cimmerian_a darkness_n only_o with_o the_o time_n that_o i_o have_v be_v there_o i_o find_v my_o eye_n be_v beginning_n to_o grow_v tender_a and_o smart_v and_o itch_v at_o the_o first_o glimpse_n of_o this_o true_a light_n which_o then_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o light_n i_o have_v before_o see_v do_v not_o seem_v bare_o light_a but_o the_o super-coelestial_a light_n of_o paradise_n then_o i_o demand_v of_o she_o with_o who_o in_o the_o glass_n i_o have_v former_a converse_n concern_v what_o i_o have_v see_v she_o tell_v i_o that_o they_o be_v such_o who_o write_v in_o alchemy_n according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o fancy_n and_o not_o of_o nature_n
sir_n george_n ripley_n epistle_n to_o king_n edward_n the_o four_o unfolded_a this_o epistle_n as_o it_o be_v immediate_o write_v to_o a_o king_n who_o be_v in_o his_o generation_n both_o wise_a and_o valiant_a so_o it_o do_v comprise_v the_o whole_a secret_a both_o learned_o describe_v and_o yet_o artificial_o veil_v yet_o as_o the_o author_n testify_v that_o in_o this_o epistle_n he_o do_v plain_o untie_v the_o main_a knot_n so_o i_o can_v and_o do_v testify_v with_o he_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o desirable_a for_o the_o true_a attain_n of_o this_o mystery_n both_o in_o the_o theory_n and_o practic_n of_o it_o which_o be_v not_o in_o this_o short_a epistle_n full_o teach_v this_o than_o i_o intend_v as_o a_o key_n to_o all_o my_o former_a write_n and_o assure_v you_o on_o my_o faithful_a word_n that_o i_o shall_v not_o speak_v one_o word_n doubtful_o or_o mystical_o as_o i_o have_v in_o all_o my_o other_o write_n seem_v to_o aver_v some_o thing_n which_o take_v without_o a_o figure_n be_v utter_o false_a which_o we_o do_v only_o to_o conceal_v this_o art_n this_o key_n therefore_o we_o intend_v not_o to_o make_v common_a and_o shall_v entreat_v you_o to_o keep_v it_o secret_a to_o yourself_o and_o not_o to_o communicate_v it_o except_o it_o be_v to_o a_o sure_a friend_n who_o you_o be_v confident_a will_v not_o make_v it_o public_a and_o this_o request_n we_o make_v upon_o very_o good_a ground_n know_v that_o all_o our_o write_n together_o be_v nothing_o to_o this_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o contradiction_n which_o we_o have_v weave_v into_o they_o which_o here_o be_v not_o do_v in_o the_o least_o measure_n i_o shall_v therefore_o in_o this_o epistle_n take_v up_o a_o new_a method_n and_o that_o different_a from_o the_o former_a and_o shall_v first_o draw_v up_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o philosophy_n couch_v in_o this_o epistle_n into_o several_a conclusion_n and_o after_o elucidate_v the_o same_o the_o first_o conclusion_n be_v draw_v from_o the_o nine_o stave_n of_o this_o epistle_n the_o eight_o first_o staff_n be_v only_o complemental_a and_o that_o be_v that_o as_o all_o thing_n be_v multiply_v in_o their_o kind_n so_o may_v be_v metal_n which_o have_v in_o themselves_o a_o capacity_n of_o be_v transmute_v the_o imperfect_a into_o perfect_a the_o second_o conclusion_n in_o the_o ten_o stave_n be_v that_o the_o main_a ground_n for_o the_o possibility_n of_o transmutation_n be_v the_o possibility_n of_o reduction_n of_o all_o metal_n and_o such_o mineral_n as_o be_v of_o metallic_a principle_n into_o their_o first_o mercurial_a matter_n the_o three_o conclusion_n be_v in_o the_o eleven_o stave_n that_o among_o so_o many_o metaline_a and_o mineral_n sulphur_n and_o so_o many_o mercury_n there_o be_v but_o two_o sulphur_n that_o be_v relate_v to_o our_o work_n which_o sulphur_n have_v their_o mercuries_n essential_o unite_v to_o they_o the_o four_o conclusion_n from_o the_o same_o stave_n be_v that_o he_o who_o understand_v these_o two_o sulphur_n &_o mercury_n aright_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o one_o be_v the_o most_o pure_a red_a sulphur_n of_o gold_n which_o be_v sulphur_n in_o manifesto_fw-la and_o mercurius_n in_o occulto_fw-la and_o that_o other_o be_v most_o pure_a white_a mercury_n which_o be_v indeed_o true_a quicksilver_n in_o manifesto_fw-la and_o sulphur_n in_o occulto_fw-la these_o be_v our_o two_o principle_n the_o five_o conclusion_n from_o the_o twelve_o stave_n be_v that_o if_o a_o man_n principle_n be_v true_a and_o his_o operation_n regular_a his_o event_n will_v be_v certain_a which_o event_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o true_a mystery_n these_o conclusion_n be_v but_o few_o in_o number_n but_o of_o great_a weight_n or_o concernment_n the_o amplification_n illustration_n and_o elucidation_n therefore_o of_o they_o will_v make_v a_o son_n of_o art_n true_o glad_a stave_n ix_o in_o the_o edition_n 1591._o but_o in_o esq_n ashmole_n theatrum_fw-la it_o be_v stave_v 8._o but_o notwithstanding_o for_o peril_n that_o may_v befall_v if_o i_o dare_v not_o here_o plain_o the_o knot_n unbind_v yet_o in_o my_o writing_n i_o will_v not_o be_v so_o mystical_a but_o that_o by_o study_v the_o true_a knowledge_n you_o may_v find_v how_o that_o each_o thing_n be_v multiply_v in_o its_o kind_n and_o how_o the_o likeness_n of_o body_n metalline_a be_v transmutable_a i_o will_v declare_v that_o if_o you_o feel_v i_o in_o your_o mind_n my_o writing_n you_o shall_v find_v true_a and_o no_o feign_a fable_n for_o the_o first_o forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v not_o for_o our_o purpose_n here_o to_o invite_v any_o to_o the_o art_n only_o intend_v to_o lead_v and_o guide_v the_o son_n of_o art_n we_o shall_v not_o prove_v the_o possibility_n of_o alchemy_n by_o many_o argument_n have_v do_v it_o abundant_o in_o another_o treatise_n he_o than_o that_o will_v be_v incredulous_a let_v he_o be_v incredulous_a he_o that_o will_v cavil_v let_v he_o cavil_v but_o he_o who_o mind_n be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o art_n and_o of_o its_o dignity_n let_v he_o attend_v to_o what_o be_v in_o the_o illustration_n of_o these_o five_o conclusion_n discover_v and_o his_o heart_n shall_v certain_o rejoice_v we_o shall_v therefore_o brief_o illustrate_v this_o one_a conclusion_n and_o insist_v there_o more_o large_o where_o the_o secret_n of_o the_o art_n be_v most_o couch_v for_o this_o first_o which_o conclude_v in_o effect_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o art_n and_o its_o validity_n he_o that_o will_v therein_o be_v more_o satisfy_v in_o it_o let_v he_o read_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o he_o that_o will_v not_o believe_v the_o testimony_n of_o so_o many_o man_n be_v most_o of_o they_o man_n of_o renown_n in_o their_o own_o time_n he_o will_v cavil_v also_o against_o all_o other_o argument_n we_o shall_v only_o hold_v to_o ripley_n testimony_n in_o this_o our_o key_n who_o in_o the_o four_o stave_n assure_v the_o king_n that_o at_o louvain_n he_o first_o see_v the_o great_a and_o most_o perfect_a secret_n namely_o the_o two_o elixir_n and_o in_o his_o follow_a verse_n crave_v his_o confident_a credit_n that_o he_o himself_o have_v true_o find_v the_o way_n of_o secret_a alchemy_n and_o promise_v the_o discovery_n of_o it_o to_o the_o king_n only_o upon_o condition_n of_o secrecy_n and_o in_o the_o eight_o stave_n though_o he_o protest_v never_o to_o write_v it_o by_o pen_n yet_o proffer_v the_o king_n at_o his_o pleasure_n to_o show_v he_o occular_o the_o red_a and_o white_a elixir_n and_o the_o work_n of_o they_o which_o he_o promise_v will_v be_v do_v for_o easy_a cost_n in_o time_n so_o then_o he_o that_o will_v doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o art_n must_v account_v this_o famous_a author_n for_o a_o most_o simple_a mad_a sophister_n to_o write_v and_o offer_v such_o thing_n to_o his_o prince_n unless_o he_o be_v able_a in_o effect_n to_o do_v what_o he_o promise_v from_o which_o imputation_n his_o write_n and_o also_o the_o history_n of_o he_o of_o his_o fame_n gravity_n and_o worth_a will_v sufficient_o clear_v he_o stave_n x._o as_o the_o philosopher_n in_o the_o book_n of_o meteor_n do_v write_v the_o likeness_n of_o body_n metalline_a be_v not_o transmutable_a but_o after_o he_o add_v these_o word_n of_o more_o delight_n without_o they_o be_v reduce_v to_o their_o beginning_n materiable_a wherefore_o such_o body_n which_o in_o nature_n be_v liquiable_a mineral_n &_o metalline_a may_v be_v mercurizate_n conceive_v you_o may_v this_o science_n be_v not_o opinionable_a but_o very_o true_a by_o raymond_n and_o other_o determinate_a we_o come_v to_o the_o second_o conclusion_n the_o substance_n of_o which_o be_v that_o all_o metal_n and_o body_n of_o metalline_a principle_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o their_o first_o mercurial_a matter_n and_o this_o be_v the_o main_a and_o chief_a ground_n for_o the_o possibility_n of_o transmutation_n on_o this_o we_o must_v insist_v large_o and_o full_o for_o trust_v i_o this_o be_v the_o very_a hinge_n on_o which_o our_o secret_n hang._n first_o then_o know_v that_o all_o metal_n and_o several_a mineral_n have_v mercury_n for_o their_o next_o matter_n to_o which_o for_o the_o most_o part_n nay_o indeed_o always_o there_o adhere_v and_o be_v con-coagulated_n a_o external_a sulphur_n which_o be_v not_o metalline_a but_o distinguishable_a from_o the_o internal_a kernel_n of_o the_o mercury_n this_o sulphur_n be_v not_o want_v even_o in_o common_a argent_fw-fr vive_fw-fr by_o the_o mediation_n of_o which_o it_o may_v be_v precipitate_v into_o the_o form_n of_o a_o dry_a powder_n yea_o and_o by_o a_o liquor_n well_o know_v to_o we_o though_o nothing_o help_v the_o art_n of_o transmutation_n it_o may_v be_v so_o fix_v that_o it_o may_v endure_v all_o fire_n the_o test_n and_o coppel_n and_o this_o without_o the_o addition_n of_o any_o thing_n to_o it_o but_o
likeness_n one_o to_o another_o but_o mercury_n without_o which_o nothing_o be_v be_v for_o our_o mercury_n be_v essential_a and_o radical_a to_o our_o body_n and_o partake_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o entire_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v that_o mercury_n without_o which_o nothing_o be_v for_o all_o thing_n be_v distinguish_v by_o philosopher_n by_o three_o principle_n although_o some_o simple_n have_v not_o three_o but_o only_o by_o analogy_n among_o which_o the_o most_o essential_a be_v mercury_n for_o the_o humidity_n of_o all_o thing_n concrete_a be_v call_v their_o mercury_n which_o be_v most_o entire_a to_o all_o thing_n forasmuch_o as_o all_o thing_n owe_v their_o beginning_n unto_o water_n so_o then_o as_o the_o proper_a specific_a mercury_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v so_o essential_a unto_o they_o that_o nothing_o be_v without_o it_o so_o our_o mercury_n be_v so_o consubstantial_a with_o our_o body_n that_o it_o be_v one_o in_o kind_n with_o that_o mercury_n 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thing_n have_v give_v they_o i_o may_v speak_v it_o experimental_o that_o when_o myself_o have_v have_v one_o intent_n i_o have_v be_v so_o over-swayed_n with_o unpremeditated_a thought_n in_o the_o very_a writing_n that_o i_o have_v take_v notice_n of_o the_o immediate_a hand_n of_o god_n therein_o by_o which_o i_o have_v be_v carry_v beyond_o what_o i_o intend_v and_o true_o it_o be_v not_o our_o intent_n to_o make_v the_o art_n common_a to_o all_o kind_n of_o man_n we_o write_v to_o the_o deserve_v only_o intend_v our_o book_n to_o be_v but_o as_o way-mark_n to_o such_o as_o shall_v travel_v in_o these_o path_n of_o nature_n and_o we_o do_v what_o we_o may_v to_o shut_v out_o the_o unworthy_a yet_o so_o plain_o we_o write_v that_o as_o many_o as_o god_n have_v appoint_v to_o this_o mastery_n shall_v certain_o understand_v we_o and_o have_v cause_n to_o be_v thankful_a unto_o we_o for_o our_o faithfulness_n herein_o this_o we_o shall_v receive_v from_o the_o son_n of_o this_o science_n whatever_o we_o have_v from_o other_o therefore_o our_o book_n be_v intend_v for_o the_o former_a we_o do_v not_o write_v a_o word_n to_o the_o latter_a but_o they_o be_v blame-worthy_a which_o be_v no_o clerk_n and_o meddle_v with_o philosophy_n moreover_o we_o write_v not_o our_o book_n for_o the_o information_n of_o the_o illiterate_a as_o though_o any_o vulgar_a mechanic_n distiller_n alchemist_n or_o sophister_n shall_v ready_o carry_v away_o the_o golden_a fleece_n or_o as_o though_o any_o covetous_a man_n who_o make_v gain_v his_o utmost_a end_n shall_v ready_o gather_v the_o apple_n of_o the_o hesperide_n nor_o yet_o that_o any_o though_o learned_a shall_v by_o once_o or_o twice_o overly_o and_o slight_a read_n as_o the_o dog_n lap_v the_o water_n of_o nilus_n straightway_o be_v make_v a_o philosopher_n nay_o very_o the_o majesty_n of_o this_o science_n forbid_v so_o great_a impiety_n it_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n and_o not_o of_o man_n our_o book_n be_v for_o those_o who_o have_v be_v or_o intend_v to_o be_v conversant_a about_o the_o search_n of_o nature_n we_o hint_n the_o way_n prayer_n to_o god_n and_o patient_a persist_v in_o the_o use_n of_o mean_n must_v open_v these_o door_n let_v therefore_o profound_a meditation_n accompany_v with_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n furnace_n coal_n glass_n and_o indefatigable_a pain_n be_v thy_o interpreter_n and_o let_v they_o serve_v for_o commentary_n upon_o our_o write_n so_o i_o do_v so_o i_o advise_v thou_o and_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n attend_v all_o studious_a virtuous_a searcher_n in_o this_o way_n but_o though_o it_o mercury_n be_v yet_o be_v not_o the_o knot_n untie_v nor_o difficulty_n overcome_v when_o once_o a_o man_n have_v learned_a to_o sing_v this_o threadbare_a song_n in_o philosophy_n est_fw-la in_o mercurio_n quicquid_fw-la quaerunt_fw-la sapientes_fw-la for_o what_o sophister_n who_o can_v make_v so_o great_a a_o clatter_n in_o these_o general_a term_n as_o a_o son_n of_o art_n the_o great_a difficulty_n be_v to_o know_v what_o this_o mercury_n be_v that_o be_v so_o desirable_a and_o effectual_a yet_o wise_o understand_v wherein_o it_o be_v and_o where_o thou_o shall_v it_o seek_v therefore_o let_v i_o advise_v every_o studious_a searcher_n of_o this_o hide_a science_n to_o consider_v wary_o with_o himself_o what_o he_o seek_v and_o will_v find_v nor_o that_o only_o but_o in_o what_o he_o will_v find_v it_o for_o trust_v i_o it_o be_v not_o in_o this_o science_n as_o some_o do_v imagine_v that_o our_o arcanum_n may_v be_v make_v out_o of_o any_o thing_n nor_o yet_o out_o of_o any_o base_a thing_n but_o in_o the_o know_n of_o the_o true_a principle_n consist_v the_o first_o true_a step_n to_o perfection_n according_a to_o the_o poet_n dimidium_fw-la facti_fw-la qui_fw-la bene_fw-la coepit_fw-la habet_fw-la else_o i_o counsel_v thou_o take_v not_o this_o work_n in_o hand_n but_o he_o who_o know_v not_o this_o our_o ocean_n in_o which_o our_o water_n have_v its_o flux_n and_o reflux_n and_o our_o fountain_n out_o of_o which_o he_o may_v draw_v this_o water_n for_o his_o use_n let_v he_o forbear_v this_o as_o a_o most_o dangerous_a science_n for_o he_o may_v only_o expect_v loss_n in_o it_o but_o no_o profit_n for_o philosopher_n flatter_v fool_n with_o fair_a speech_n nor_o let_v any_o expect_v comfortable_a direction_n in_o our_o book_n who_o know_v not_o the_o true_a matter_n nor_o the_o true_a key_n by_o which_o our_o matter_n be_v bring_v forth_o from_o darkness_n into_o the_o light_n for_o very_o though_o we_o write_v for_o the_o enlighten_v of_o a_o son_n of_o art_n yet_o also_o for_o the_o fatal_a blind_n of_o all_o such_o owl_n and_o bat_n who_o can_v behold_v the_o light_n of_o the_o sun_n nor_o can_v endure_v the_o splendour_n of_o our_o moon_n to_o such_o we_o propound_v rare_a trick_n suit_v to_o their_o sordid_a fancy_n to_o the_o covetous_a a_o easy_a
benefit_n of_o mankind_n and_o most_o like_a to_o god_n himself_o to_o be_v universal_o kind_a to_o all_o nay_o the_o very_a heathen_a not_o only_o account_v those_o man_n as_o god_n who_o communicate_v their_o invention_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o their_o generation_n and_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n in_o general_n but_o be_v worship_v as_o such_o by_o the_o succeed_a generation_n until_o shilo_n come_v of_o this_o spirit_n be_v our_o author_n who_o write_v many_o book_n of_o this_o subject_a 47._o that_o by_o the_o variety_n of_o expression_n and_o insinuate_a hint_n the_o diligent_a searcher_n may_v find_v out_o this_o art_n as_o well_o as_o himself_o and_o of_o this_o spirit_n i_o hope_v thou_o be_v gentle_a reader_n that_o if_o providence_n have_v cast_v into_o thy_o hand_n the_o exposition_n upon_o the_o last_o six_o gate_n which_o our_o author_n write_v as_o himself_o confess_v book_n or_o any_o other_o of_o his_o write_n i_o hope_v thou_o will_v not_o degenerate_v so_o far_o from_o a_o good_a man_n and_o from_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o author_n himself_o as_o to_o conceal_v those_o treasure_n in_o private_a which_o he_o so_o free_o write_v and_o by_o transcript_n disperse_v with_o leave_n to_o communicate_v they_o for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o which_o if_o you_o shall_v please_v to_o perform_v you_o will_v thereby_o very_o much_o oblige_v this_o generation_n of_o philosopher_n who_o esteem_v this_o author_n piece_n for_o the_o learn_a free_a and_o smooth_a style_n without_o affectation_n and_o the_o plain_a that_o be_v ever_o yet_o write_v who_o thirst_v as_o it_o be_v for_o a_o large_a manifestation_n of_o this_o secret_a yet_o dare_v not_o give_v a_o plain_a receipt_n for_o fear_v of_o do_v more_o evil_a than_o good_a thereby_o and_o not_o only_o this_o generation_n but_o posterity_n will_v be_v infinite_o behold_v to_o you_o that_o by_o your_o mean_n these_o worthy_a write_n may_v be_v hand_v down_o to_o they_o and_o if_o you_o shall_v likewise_o be_v please_v to_o send_v any_o of_o this_o author_n piece_n either_o mention_v or_o not_o mention_v in_o the_o catalogue_n to_o the_o pelican_n in_o little-britain_n london_n you_o shall_v receive_v the_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n of_o your_o humble_a servant_n w._n c._n b._n experiment_n for_o the_o preparation_n of_o the_o sophick_a mercury_n by_o luna_n and_o the_o antimonial-stellate-regulus_n of_o mars_n for_o the_o philosopher_n stone_n write_a by_o eirenaeus_n philalethes_n a_o englishman_n and_o a_o cosmopolite_n experiment_n for_o the_o preparation_n of_o the_o sophick_n mercury_n by_o luna_n and_o the_o antimonial-stellate-regulus_n of_o mars_n for_o the_o philosopher_n stone_n 1._o the_o secret_a of_o the_o philosophic_a arsenic_n i_o take_v one_o part_n of_o the_o fiery_a dragon_n and_o of_o the_o magnetical_a body_n two_o part_n i_o prepare_v they_o together_o by_o a_o strong_a fire_n and_o in_o the_o first_o fusion_n there_o be_v make_v about_o eight_o ounce_n of_o the_o true_a arsenic_n 2._o the_o secret_a of_o prepare_v the_o mercury_n with_o his_o arsenic_n for_o the_o separate_n its_o faeces_fw-la i_o do_v take_v one_o part_n of_o the_o best_a arsenic_n and_o i_o make_v a_o marriage_n with_o two_o part_n of_o the_o virgin_n diana_n into_o one_o body_n i_o ground_n it_o very_o fine_a and_o with_o this_o i_o have_v prepare_v my_o mercury_n work_v they_o all_o together_o in_o heat_n until_o that_o they_o be_v most_o exquifite_o incorporate_v then_o i_o purge_v it_o with_o the_o salt_n of_o urine_n that_o the_o faeces_fw-la do_v separate_v which_o i_o put_v away_o 3._o the_o purification_n of_o the_o sophick_n mercury_n the_o mercury_n thus_o prepare_v be_v yet_o infect_v with_o a_o external_a uncleanness_n wherefore_o distil_v it_o three_o or_o four_o time_n in_o its_o proper_a alembick_a with_o its_o steel_n cucurbit_n then_o wash_v it_o with_o the_o salt_n of_o urine_n until_o that_o it_o be_v clear_a and_o bright_a and_o in_o its_o motion_n leave_v no_o tail_n behind_o it_o 4._o another_o most_o excellent_a purgation_n take_v of_o decrepit_a salt_n and_o of_o the_o scoria_fw-la of_o mars_n of_o each_o ten_o ounce_n of_o prepare_a mercury_n one_o ounce_n and_o a_o half_a grind_v the_o salt_n and_o the_o scorias_fw-la very_o fine_a together_o in_o a_o marble_n mortar_n then_o put_v in_o the_o mercury_n and_o grind_v it_o with_o vinegar_n so_o long_o until_o no_o more_o of_o the_o mercury_n appear_v put_v it_o into_o a_o glass_n body_n and_o distil_v it_o by_o sand_n in_o a_o glass_n alembick_a until_o all_o the_o mercury_n be_v ascend_v pure_a clear_a and_o splendid_o bright_a reiterate_v this_o three_o time_n and_o you_o will_v have_v the_o mercury_n excellent_o well_o prepare_v for_o the_o magistery_n 5._o the_o secret_a of_o the_o just_a preparation_n of_o the_o sophick_n mercury_n every_o single_a preparation_n of_o the_o mercury_n with_o its_o arsenic_n be_v one_o eagle_n the_o feather_n of_o the_o eagle_n be_v purge_v from_o their_o crow-like_a blackness_n make_v it_o to_o fly_v the_o seven_o flight_n and_o it_o be_v prepare_v even_o until_o the_o ten_o flight_n 6._o the_o secret_a of_o the_o sophick_n mercury_n i_o have_v take_v the_o proper_a quantity_n of_o the_o mercury_n and_o i_o mix_v it_o with_o its_o true_a arsenic_n to_o wit_n about_o four_o ounce_n of_o mercury_n and_o i_o make_v a_o thin_a commix_v consistence_n i_o purge_v it_o after_o a_o due_a manner_n and_o i_o distil_v it_o and_o i_o have_v a_o pure_a body_n of_o lune_fw-fr whence_o i_o know_v that_o i_o have_v right_o prepare_v it_o afterward_o i_o add_v to_o its_o weight_n of_o arsenic_n and_o i_o increase_v its_o former_a weight_n of_o mercury_n in_o so_o much_o that_o the_o mercury_n may_v prevail_v to_o a_o thin_a flux_n and_o so_o i_o purge_v it_o to_o the_o waste_n of_o the_o blackness_n almost_o to_o a_o lunary_n whiteness_n then_o i_o take_v half_o a_o ounce_n of_o the_o arsenic_n of_o which_o i_o make_v a_o due_a marriage_n i_o add_v it_o to_o this_o betroth_a mercury_n and_o there_o be_v make_v a_o temperature_n like_o potter_n loam_n but_o a_o little_o thin_a i_o purge_v it_o again_o after_o a_o due_a manner_n the_o purgation_n be_v laborious_a and_o a_o long_a time_n i_o make_v it_o with_o the_o salt_n of_o urine_n which_o i_o have_v find_v to_o be_v the_o best_a in_o this_o work_n 7._o another_o purgation_n but_o yet_o better_a i_o have_v find_v out_o a_o better_a way_n of_o purge_v it_o with_o vinegar_n and_o pure_a sea-salt_n so_o that_o in_o the_o space_n of_o half_a a_o day_n i_o can_v prepare_v one_o eagle_n i_o make_v the_o first_o eagle_n to_o fly_v and_o diana_n be_v leave_v with_o a_o little_a tincture_n of_o brass_n i_o begin_v the_o second_o eagle_n by_o remove_v the_o superfluity_n and_o then_o i_o make_v it_o fly_v and_o again_o the_o dove_n of_o diana_n be_v leave_v with_o the_o tincture_n of_o brass_n i_o conjoin_v the_o three_o eagle_n and_o i_o purge_v the_o superfluity_n by_o remove_v they_o even_o to_o a_o whiteness_n than_o i_o make_v it_o fly_v and_o there_o be_v leave_v a_o great_a part_n of_o brass_n with_o the_o dove_n of_o diana_n then_o i_o make_v it_o fly_v twice_o by_o itself_o to_o the_o whole_a extraction_n of_o all_o the_o body_n then_o i_o join_v the_o four_o eagle_n by_o add_v more_o and_o more_o of_o its_o own_o humour_n by_o degree_n and_o there_o be_v make_v a_o very_a temperate_a consistence_n in_o which_o there_o be_v no_o hydrops_fw-la or_o superfluous_a moisture_n as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o three_o former_a eagle_n 8._o i_o have_v find_v the_o best_a way_n of_o prepare_v the_o sophick_n mercury_n viz._n such_o as_o follow_v the_o amalgamated_a mass_n espouse_v or_o join_v very_o intimate_o by_o a_o due_a marriage_n i_o put_v into_o a_o crucible_n and_o into_o a_o furnace_n of_o sand_n for_o half_a a_o hour_n but_o so_o that_o it_o may_v not_o sublime_a then_o i_o take_v it_o out_o and_o strong_o grind_v it_o then_o i_o put_v it_o again_o in_o a_o crucible_n and_o in_o the_o furnace_n and_o after_o a_o quarter_n of_o a_o hour_n or_o thereabouts_o i_o grind_v it_o again_o and_o i_o make_v the_o mortar_n hot_a by_o this_o mean_v the_o amalgama_n begin_v to_o be_v clean_o and_o to_o cast_v forth_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o powder_n then_o i_o put_v it_o in_o the_o crucible_n again_o and_o to_o the_o fire_n as_o before_o for_o a_o convenient_a time_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o sublime_v otherwise_o the_o great_a the_o fire_n be_v the_o better_a it_o be_v so_o continual_o put_v it_o in_o the_o fire_n and_o continual_o grind_v it_o till_o almost_o all_o the_o powder_n do_v whole_o disappear_v than_o i_o wash_v it_o and_o the_o faeces_fw-la be_v easy_o cast_v out_o and_o the_o amalgama_n become_v entire_a without_o any_o heterogeneity_n then_o i_o