PRACTTCE TRUE TTIE }ITTH tlORKS CHEI.

IICAL CERTAIN
Gath.eted trto
by:

a Tnue lilethod'

Edward Nowell

B .e.

gl!s 1 p ' ,

#ZSE7

PR O D U C E D B Y :

& &M A 19 8 2

C erta i n C h e mi e a l Wor ks, with Gathered into

the Tr ue Pr actice,

a Tr ue Method.

By Edward Nowell. B .M. Sloane 256?.

Tfre P reface

to

the

Re a d e r .

W h e n n o ve l ti e s o r stra n ge events ensue, Then we beholding greatly do admire But being staIe, or commonto our view F a r t h er to g a ze th e re o n have no desir e Thus I af firm, for that I know i-n man S u c h se cre t w o n d e rs i n ye wor ld ar e none. Having a body the World representing I n w h ich Go d rs In a g e i s so lively set 'I mean ye Soul, whieh is our understanding W i t h i n o u r B o d i e s p u re and delicate W h e r e i n su ch w o n d e rs a re m or e secr etly knit As m o r e to se e k w i l l mor e delight thy wit. Ihen what thou art, have care thyself to know T h y S u b sta n ce , sta te , condition and degr ee The rarest wonder that ye world can show I s r e pre se n te d i n th i n e own Body. Elements vegetable and Mineral Are all contained in thy Animal.

l.

God by his

power the world

of nothing made

W h i c h n o th i n g i s i mmo rtal seed m ost sur e O f w h ich ye w o rl d to o k root that eannot fade But firm and stable to ye end endure. After which Image man was framed I salr f n y e sa me S e e d , j o i n e d to a Fattie C1ay. F i r s t kn o w r r1 o to n g u e i s able to expr ess, N o r p e n ca n w ri te th e w onder ous wor ks of God. H i s h i d d e n S e cre ts w i l l he not confess Nor make them commonflying all abroad H i s D ivi n e Wi sd o m cl e a rl y doth for e- see T o p l a ce h i s g i fts to e ach in their Degr ee. T o s o m e h e d o th h i s kn o wledge m or e impar t T h a n u n to so me , w h o se n atur es diver s fatr l. O t h e r s a g a i n mo re ski 1 l full in this Ar t' A n d s u ch w i se me n P h i l o sopher s we call, Am o n g th e w h i ch ma n y d e light to see . H o w N a tu re e a ch th i n g frames in their degr ee. F i r s t th e y d i vi d e w h a t s he united had By which they find three Principles as ground, In everything that Nature forth hath Ied. Mercury, Salt and Sulphur pure are found, W h i c h E l e me n ts o f E a rth , W ater and Air , D o m a ke th e i r Qu i n te sse nce, which they call Fir e. 0f this again a Medicine pure they frame W h i c h fre e s si ck b o d i e s fr om Infir m ities. lYris pure Elixir is the very same T h a t c u re s th e Me ta l s o f foul Lepr osi- e T h i s i s th e Je w e l w h i ch so few can find T h o u g h so u g h t o f so me ti Il sm oke ye eyes do b1ind.

2.

W h o s e L u cks w i th ski l l be com par ed, r n?V fitly T h e y w a n t ye ve sse l H e rmes used to bear , W h i c h i f th e y h a d su ch smoakes they should not see N o r h al f su ch to i l i n g , out their cloakes to wear N e i t h e r w h o l e ye a rs, n o r char ge, they should not spend But in short time attain the happy end.

W h e r e fo re b e w e l l a d vi sed er e thou begin W h a t i s ye su b sta n ce w h er eof Gold is made, Then boldly mayst thou surely enter in And take upon you this most worthy trade For many thousand herewith be deceived A n d o f th e i r e rro r w i l l not be ber eaved. And thus in hope thou wilt observe this rule An d w i th a tte n ti o n , u n d er stand it well R e m e mb e ri n gV i rg i l si n ce thou wast at school And Ovid who of famed heavens tel1, And know their Gods who was to each their Sire So m a y st th o u co me to a ttain thine own desir e. L i k e w i se d o l e a rn o u r miner al spir its thr ee F r o m wh e n ce th e y ri se , Ar senick of whieh being one, T h e o th e r S u l p h u r, y l ast M er eur y. Ttre F\rming Spirits chiefest of our Stone O r e o f th o se p o i so n o u s with his pier cing br eath C o n g e a l s q u i cksi l ve r to a solid Ear th. But if thou think this strange and far untrue T h e n ma ke a tri a l h e re o f if thou wilt Taking my former Counsel 6iiven you I f o t h e rw i se , yo u r w o rk is sur ely spilt Bu t I a ssu re ye i f th o u have our Stone I t r o u sh a l t a tta i n th i n e own desir e anon.

A u thor to Reader .

N o w g en tl e re a d e r o n ye I bestow A Se c re t w h i e h a s ye t thou dost not know. I f t h i s my b o o k th o u re ad with good advice, Sha1l find ye same ye sayings of ye wise How sundry works compiled are in brief L i g h t ch a rg e , sh o rt ti me, which tr ar of hold as chief . A 1 1 i s n o t w ri t, so me d oth behind r emain Which is a whetstone for to sharp thy brain, That it may cut as keen with wisdoms edge Thou mayst attain to make ye golden wedge. I,et Nature therefore grave within thy heart That which by writing no man will impart. Which is a thing so easy for to gain T h a t u n d e rsto o d w e l l w i l l r equite thy pain. Then praise the Author where thou comst in place As higher powers above shall give ye grace.

The Authors Vfi1l and Testament. from this life of breath I be bereaved T h e n as a L o g , a C o l d , a br eathless Stone Compare my carcase whcih I have bequeathed T o s l e e p i n re st ti l l resur r eetion Where flesh and bone to dust shall there decay Until they join again at latter day U n t i l w h i ch ti me R e l i q u es 1ay as Rags, 0 f n o e ste e m b u t ye t my Soul Divine. Let it ascend out from the Earthly Dregs, Among the Angels up in Heaven to shine, ff

4.

W h e r eo f n o to n g u e b e a b le to expr ess T h e g lo ri o u s l o ve a n d j oyfull blessedness. And he who shal_l this Book and Verses read I f b y th e sa me h e p ro fi t chanee to find First in my Love I wish him God to dread And let my Chaos be within thy nind That thou mayrst shew thyself a grateful man To think on him which is dead and gone.

The Author To All- The Faithftrl

sons of philosophy.

f w r i t e to su ch a s h a ve desir e to see Into the grounds of true philosophy. Bu t u n to su ch a s ch o ke them selves with sm e]Is 0f Earthy fumes, come from mean minerals 0r else from stinking odours against kind S u c h of my ve rse b u t 1 i ttle good shal1 find U n t i l th e y fi rst th e se rules do Listen well_ T o w h i ch mo st b ri e fl y f mean her e to tel_l .fhen know that the philosophers first ground Is everlrwhere, yet hard for to be found. Yet E:ngland hath it always i.n store For twenty thousand philosophers and more T t r i s m a tte r n e xt u n to th e Soul of m an M o r e p r e ci o u s th i n g Go d neer cr eated. none An d f t i s o ffe n ce u n to h i s Godheadstill W i t h v i o l e n t h a n d s th i s Stone to wr ong and kill. Ye t N a tu re s fi rst i n te n ti on must be let B e f o r e th e fi rst ma te ri a l you ean get Else Earth wil-r quake and grone and sadly grieve I f y o u w i l l to u ch e re N atur e will off leave. For when as Nature she has done and wrought

5.

T h e r e we b e g i n r o r e l se our wor k is naught. Ore Chaos rude as God this Worl-d did make, T o m a n h i s l i ttl e Wo rl d fr om Chaos take. P r o p o r ti o n se ve ra l i s ther ein I ween 0 f G o l d a n d S i l ve r fi ve into fifteen Not eommonGold and Silver which is dead For that is living which is in our Lead. I f t h o u ca n st fre e h i m fr om their Pr ison Dar k, I w i l l a cco u n t o f th e e a Lear ned Clar ke. F o r I a ssu re th e e i n a shower of Rain C o l d h e a t mo i st d ry h a rd soft ther ein r emain, B o t h t h i e k a n d th i n , a body spir it and soul, Which Mercury Salt and Sulphur me do call The four elements thou therein shalt find Fire Water Air and Earth by kind C l e a r th e n th e P ri so n a nd thence set him fr ee An d p l ace 'e m ri ch l y i n a fair City, W a 1 1 ed stro n g l y a b o u t to keep tem fr om their foe T h e n h a st th o u ri d th e m fr om their gr eatest woe When in this City that a while they dwell . T h e h e a t th e re i n w i l l - make I em look like hell F o r t h at th e re b o d i e n e v er did abide; So h o t a cl -i ma te a s th e y felt that tide. But use will make them well for to endure A s t r o n g e r h e a t w h e n se ason will pr ocur e T h e n wi l l th e y stri p th em to their shir ts I fear T i l l wh i te a s S n o w to si ght they do appear U n d e r wh i ch w h i te i s fl e sh r ed as blood W h i c h wi l l n o t sh o w ti l l they have passed Noahs flood, Then pearl and Ruby will they give thee store Si l v e r a n d Go l d w h a t w i l t thou wish for mor e.

6.

P ri m a m ater ia. Prima Materia which many can of clatter Is not found in ought which Earth Imbowel-Is Nor on Earth growing comes our first Matter As Vegetables Herbs Fruits or Flowers Nor Animal nor excrements thence flowing 0r anything that on earth is growing, 2 . Y e t i n e a ch o n e o f these thou m ayest find T h r e e so rts o f h u mo u rs ther ein do conjoin, As Water nourishing the Earth by kind, When Sun it burns refreshed by rain So i s th e fi rst; n e xt, oilie Radical W h i c h i s th e S u b sta n ce of heat natur al. 3 . L a st, h u mo u r w a te ry as cement knitting Bo d y s o f S to n e s, me ta l l iving as dead For Mercurl, Salt and Sulphur being U n i t e d to g e th e r a n d e q u ally spr ead As t a s te sme l I a n d co l o ur the euintessence call 0 f Ve ge ta b l e , Mi n e ra L , or AnimaL. . 4. o u r S a l t, a d ry w ater and 1ively is he Which many for quicksilver did it take But the three Spirits our Mercury must be And the Earth our Sulphur of which we must make, O;r noble Elixir both white and red Our Adrop so precious and our red lead. 5 . F i rst Ma tte r o f Metals is clam m y like g1ue, Q u i e k si l ve r a n e a re r ma de of the same thing, Then liquable Sulphur joined with them two Whence vapour doth ri-se and to the Earth cIing. C o n t i n ua l h e a t ma ki n g d ecoetion A n d t h e re b y ma d e a rn e ta Lline fusion. 1.

7.

Ou r S to n e o n e th i n g of Elements four , The Earth and body wherein fire lieth W a t e r an d A i r o u r sp i ri t Ear th dissolving Air and Fire the Soul- our Compoundripenth.

6.

being

A 1 1 t h ose w e l l fro m o n e thing thou mayest divide W h i c h o n e th i n g kn o w n d oth all things else exceed. To give thee light what this one thing may be 7. W h e n of th e fi rst th i s hour had of bir th And bearing life which vegetable growing T i I l r i p e a s g ra ss h i s s tate quite over thr oweth I t i s o u r C h a o s a s I e rs t did telI I f w h at I sa i d th o u d o remember wel1. B. T tre n n o t a ce e p te d but as base cast by Ye t o f th e w i se i s h e l -d in gr eat esteem T o b r i ng th e m h e a l th , w ealth and fr ee liber ty And from all thraLdom will he them redeem If by true Art they have the means to use him F o r w orl d l y w e a l th th e y never will r efuse him . 9 . If th a t th o u w o n d er wher e thou shalt it find I answer thee that thou in every place A r t s u re to se e i t i f thou be not blind Through Natures mantle covered hath his face B u t i f th o u ca n rst i t n ot yet under stand l,ook that with speed thou do withdraw thy hand.

The Principles

0f Nature And 0f Art.

The grave Philosophers in time of yore Divinely wrote that Gold within the Ore As o t h e r Me ta l -s fi rst e ngender ed be 0f Sulphur and Argent Vive called Mercurie And Gold say they, springs from another Mine

8.

Where Argent Vive and Sulphur red do shine W h i c h b y o u r a rti fi e i a l fir e not gr eat The purity thereof we may compleat T h a t i s mo re P e rfe ct b y a 1000 fold Than either Indian or Arabian Gold Which is concocted by heat naturalWithin the bowels of the Mineral F o r h e a t p e rfe cte th a l l things in his kind T h i s mu st th e A rti st kn ow if he will find The narrow way that God to nature gave I s b o i1 , b o i l , b o i l i f fr uit thou seek to have A n d t h i s b y se e th i n g d o th dissolve congeal L e a r n w e l l th i s l e sso n if thou wilt pr evail And Patience have with thy continuance L e s t to o sh a rp fi re ca u se m uch gr ievence Y e t a s th e In fa n t fo o d fir st is weak But stronger as he grows and learns to speak. o u r w o rk has easy fir e, So a t th e fi rst A n d i s i n cre a se d a s ri p eness doth r equir e. A n d i n a V e sse l th a t i s m ade thr eefold . Su r e se a l e d u p th e re i n concoct thy Gold. For our one thing that is to wit our Stone A n d b y o n e w a y w h i ch i s decoetion An d i n o n e V e sse l d o w e putr ify, D i s s o 1 ve , C o n g e a l , a n d Seeth continually. F i r s t g ro w s h e B l a ck i n dissolution U n t i l th e e n d o f P u tri fa ction. That as the moisture doth congeal and dry Gay Orient Colours therein thou shalt espye And afterwards true Whiteness shall appear Like Fishes EVes or Diamonds shineing clear T h u s W h i te a t l a st w h e n water yields to air W h i c h yi e l d s to fi re th en r ed it doth appear .

9.

And often yellow

red changing hue An d o ft i t me 1 t, co n g e als befor e W hiteness tr ue I t d o t h d i sso l -ve , co l o u r and putr ify Ki l l i n g i tse l f re vi vi n g joyfully

A f t e r h i s Wh i te n e ss d o incr ease the fir e K e e p sa fe th e A sh e s w h i c h thou dost desir e W h i c h Go d sh a l l g i ve th ee molten cr owned to r ed W h i e h K i n g , P h i l -o so p h e rs have honour ed.

A n Dccellent

W or k.

F r o m N a tu re s fo u r u n i te d into one, D r a w f o rth th e me n stru e of our Pr ecious Stone, B o d i e s ca l ci n e d th e rw i th dissolve to water Which then is brought into his own fi-rst Matter H i s p e.rts d i vi d e th e su btile fr om the gr oss So s h a l t th o u g a i n w h e n other s live by 1oss. T h e u nfi xt l i g h t sp i ri t super i_or par t of stone, W h i c h i s ma d e p u re b y d i stillation fiten joined with the inferior part purged clean From parts superfluous r ti-s the Earth we mean By C a Lci n a ti o n a n d S o l u tion I s b r o ug h t a t l e n g th to quick Cer ation. Then both are purged by Putrifaction And wisely handling Sublimation Ttris 0i1 of Sulphur made of Trinity Doth Geber call his O1eagivit1r, 0 r A q ua S e cu n d a fo r th e second place Tis our Ti-ncture ferment and our Gold A n d f o r m o f Me ta l se cre t doth unfold Our Sulphur Tincture and our gory blood W h i c h m u st p a ss w a te rs of Noahs flood

10.

H i s q u a l i ti e s

a re to co nsol- idate I n t o a Me d i ci n e h e w i l L penetr ate As meat or nutriment of Sulphur true life

And doth convert and multiply thereto Doth purge and cleanse and also giveth

To Sun and Moon to Husband and to Wife I t w i l l co n j o i -n n a tu re s that d5- sagr ee T o w i t I sa y th e sp i ri t and body Between which two is the pure 0i1 the mean And natures of them both it doth contain W i t h o ut th e w h i ch th e y never joined will be Bu t a s a d u st o n me ta l it would flee T h e r e a so n i s th a t H u mour r adical I h a t i s ch i e f ca u se th a t m etals m elt at all I s h e r e d e fe a t fo r i mb i bitions lack W h i c h to b e fl u e n t o fte n see thou make. This fixed earth the Humour will embrace An d e arth i n h u mo u r re j o yceth in like case, Fix-ing the sane against all fires trial Against the Humour Earth makes volatile. Hereof it comes that both being truly mixed I s f i x e d vo l a ti l e a n d volatile m ade fixed. T h e E l i xi r fu si b l e d i ssolve in simo ( fr om sim us- dung) F i x e d p a rts ca l ci n e d o ften see this thou do Then fix them tilI the Elixir that they tinn W h i c h mu st me l t q u i ckl y Mer cur y to stain And after into perfect Sun and Moon W h i c h e l se fro m fi re w i l l fl- ee befor e they join T h i s El i xi r i s Me d i ci n e which doth cur e Imperfect metal-s of extreame Sulphur Corrupt that form and bring another pure W i t h Go l d e n T i n ctu re e ver to endur e T o t r y E l i xi r i f i t b e per fect

11.

O n C o p p e r p l a te me l t so m e with gentle heat If without smoke it spread and tinn throughout I s i n e o mb u sti b l e a n d p e r feet then no doubt I f t h a t o u r Me d i ci n e th us pur ified W i t h Sp l e n d o u r o f th e Moon be gar nished..

A Shor t W or k . B y l o n g e o n co cti o n o f o ur W ater y Stone Is Sulphur made of Air and fire alone W i t h mi d d l e A i r ma ke th e Red ear th to flow 0 f t h i s Qu i ck-si l ve r P h ilosopher s a1low W h i c h wi l l n o t mo i ste n but Congeal a m aine Such flying spirits as it doth retain And Mercury called the first Essence M u s t d ri n k tw o p a rts o f this for his defence To join our Sulphur and our Mereury them to our Lunary .Congealing both in our Mercury Water W h i c h o f a l l Me ta l s i s the fir st Matter Our Earth of Crude Silver our Gold alone Fir in all Tinctures is an inward Stone O u r q u i ck-si l ve r i s a S pir it guick of life F e r m e nt to b o d i e s b e i n g M an and W ife. It is Orr Air and Our Fire fugative Penetrating bodies and giving life Mercury Salt and Sulphur loveingly Join as Sperms of Creatures certainly Orr agent body we do call our f,une T h e p a ti e n t Me rcu ry w h i eh to him m ust join The Menstrue nourishing them in the pot I s m a de o f th e S a l t o f Alem br ott. Mix and fix

L2,

Three days in milk at first our Stone is sure T h e n a d d w e sa l t to b l o od like flesh im pur e W h i e h i n th e w a te r w i l l coagulate T h e n a re h i s me mb e rs framed to good estate An d t h e n h i s S o u l Go d o n it doth bestow That is to say a Power wherewith to grow Then springs our ferment which we call our King Which drops of water from dead earth did bring O u r Sto n e ma d e g u i ck a n d bor n as her e you see W i t h mi l k a t fi rst d o n ur se him ear efully To three part Elixir being grown strong Give but two parts of food for doing wrong O n e p a rt o f E l i xi r mo re then food T h e b ette r to d i e e st a n d to conclude.

Another Work of the Whole Mastery. Wh o so i n te n d e th o ur r ich Stone to m ake must not forsake .Natures true grounds at first TWo Sulphurs which two Mercuries contain one Red and moist, one lvhite and pure and clean Which Spirits and bodys first Calcine with fire And then again turn Earth to perfect Air. D i sso l ve to Grm w hich Hyle we call ftre which to Air distill again you shaIl Earth so to Water that to Air you turn Which Air to Earth again congeal and burn Wash not the Wombwith too much Water clear For so you may extinguish quite the fire 2. 1.

]-3.

3 . Mo d e ra te l y fe e d i t at eaeh time you m ay Digest then distit-l the phelgm away F o r f i xe d sh a l l th e vo Latile r emain, W h i c h th e n su b fi me to Air or volatile Ear th Ferment his Soul and then you have our bi_rth. 4. For body Spirit and Soul sure knit in one f s o u r E l i xi r a n d o u r p r ecious Stone, W h i c h o ft d i sso l ve , co ngeal with W ater clear T i I 1 fi xe d o i l n o fi re s for ce shalI fear W h i c h o i 1 ca l ci n e i n to a powder Rr r e T o W h i te o r R e d E l i xi r have you sur .

Another ( 1. ) Elements together T h e n s e p a ra te th e m fi rst with easy heat B y d i sti l l a ti o n p u ri fy with W ater .But Air and Fire by Sand with great fire The fiery Soul out drawn with spirit of water W h i c h b ri n g o n h i s Wh i te foliate soon after The Spirit retains the Soul without annoy And Soul the body willing doth embrace By m e a n s o f S p i ri t e a ch one in other joy T h e f i r e o r S o u l d i sti l l dar k clouds deface T h e n wi l l h e ma ke o f S i l ver , GoId in view A n d e ke th e Wh i te o r C o pper , Silver tr ue. S o b r i n g th i s w o rk i n to a per fect W hite Pu t f e ce s o f th i s fi re , distilled with Ear th Be i n g d e p ri ve d o f a l l moistur e quite T h e n s h a l t th o u h a ve a new conceived bir th When this dry Earth hath drunk of moisture First putrify thine

14.

that it can drink no more W h i c h fe e d a t fi rst b y dr ops and light calcine, Bu t f i r s t d i g e st i n si mo for a day D r e r e a se th e fi re w i se l y at ever y time I f t o o mu ch w a te r b e th en its a tr oubled sea F\rIl fifty th e n butn to cinder s it been B u t i f to o l i ttl -e Therefore in feeding always use a mean The Earth having drunk of Quicksilver his fill A n d i s mo st Wh i te w i th fir e it then sublime F o r f o li a te E a rth l i ke ashes up shall still W h i c h se p a ra te fro m th e infer ior dust betimes F o r i f th e y j o i n d e stro yed thy wor k sha1I be And f\rrther profit shall thou never see T h i s Su l p h u r Wh i te d i sso l- ve in W ater r ed An d o f t C o n g e a l D i sso l ve sublime the whole And the White Sulphur like to dust shall spread The White will- Copper turn to Silver pure T h e R e d tu rn s S u l ve r to Gold most sur e.

part

A n other . 1.

( 2.)

T h i s fo u n ta i n re d of life or iginal W h o s e su b ti l e S p i ri t i s fir e natur al At t e n d in g o n mo i stu re radical A Q u i n te sse n ce fu l l y sp i r itual An Aq ua e V i ta e mo st e th er ical W h o s e n a tu re i s w e l l n e ar incor r uptible. 2. T h i s S p i ri t w i th a gentle fir e up r ose H e a t i n g th e p i p e s o f w a ter when it did pr ess His liquor Mercury, flame Sulphur shows T h e l - a st fro m S a l A rmo niack telLs no less

L5.

f t r i s Sp i ri t re cti fy w e l I, lute well the glass L e s t t he e xce e d i n g su b ti le Spir it out pass. fi re mi d d L e L i o u o r likewise keep aside 3. R e s e r v e th e p h l e g m w i th whieh his foeces laver I , e t t h e m d i g e st ti l l th ey have water dyed Then put on fresh reserving sti11 the former C o n t i n u e th i s ti l 1 w a te r be dyed no mor e W h i c h ke e p a si d e a s e rst you did befor e. 4. T h e fo e ce s w i l l l i k e Cr ystal clear ly shine W h i c h d o p ro vo ke b o th seed and ur ine stor e T o c l e a n se th e sto ma ch liver and the spleen And other virtues it hath many more I n h i s ci rcu b i t cl o se the head on cover P u t o n h i s sp i ri t tw o i nches floating ovsr . 5 . S e t th i s o n a sh e s to digest a space The Spirit seperate cleanly from the grounds Then pour on fresh continuing the like case 'TiIl black faeces be Quick smoaking found Then hath the Crystal animated the spirit With a tart Balsme ferment doth inherit T he n i n a g l a ss th e s e spir its fir m ly close Cover in Sand where flame goes round about W h i c h i n si x d a ys i s White as any Rose Calcine and fixed is the Earth no doubt With a fourth part then of Spirit animate 6. Let both a day by Balneo i-ncorporate 7 . I n A sh e s o u t a w a te r weak distil P o u r o n mo re sp i ri t d o i ng as befor e

16.

S a l t re tain his fill A n d t h a t th e V fa te r l o o se his for ee no mor e W h i c h w e i g h i n g i s i n cre ased fult thr ee fold A n d f i xe d th e n ma ke vo Latile be bo1d. 8. T tri s Ma tte r th e n w i thin his Limbeck elose R e c e i ve s h i s S u l p h u re o us humidity T h e n fo r a d a y h i s A sh es r epose After i-ncrease the fire warily For twenty hours that no fume appear Bu t C rysta l P e a rl sti ck on the Glass m ost clear . In Porphry Morter beat this matter 9. Powder on that Sulphur which was l-ast M o d e r a te l y fe e d i n g ti l 1 im bibed it be Which for four days in strong Athanor Is our great Lunary and Balsom radicalSulphur of nature and true Mercurial. sma1I distilled all being boiled

Until

th e fi xe d

1 0 . D i sso l ve th i s S u l phur philosophical I n r e c ti fi e d S p i ri t ta u ght befor e C l o s e th e m i n P e l i ca n Her m etical To ci-rculate that two they seem no more T h i s ou r A zu re w a te r C elestial D i s s o l ve Go l d to l a st per petual. 11. From Marian and Salt Nitre may distil By e a sy h e a t a S p i ri t Mer cur ial A Sulphureous 0i1 by stronger fire come will And fixed Salt of Salt Original By force of fire yet will beneath remain And thus three Salts extracted are from tvvain.

17.

L 2 . Wh i ch fi xe d S a l -t w ithin his Limbeck lies Yield unto him Mercury again T\rrto days digest extract the phlegm aside And volatile with fixed that wil-I remain TrebLe the fixed that it flight may take Sublime thy SaI Armoniack them to make 1 3 . W i th i n th i s l ,i mb e ck close the cover sur e I n c r e a se th e h e a t a fte r I hour s space I n h i g h e st d e g re e l e t i t stand 5 hour s m or e Receive the flower of Salt come through the glass W h o s e o ri e n t co l o u rs n o man well can know T h e f i xe d fo e ce s Wh i te r lie than Snow. 14. Powder these Pearls and put on Sulphur Oil W h i c h L i q u o r fi rst Ie t putr ified be T h e n f o r a sp a ce to g e th er Iet them boil T i l l f i xe d me l ti n g l i ke to war <you see T h i s i - s th e S o u l o r ma n the Spir it to join T h a t f ro m h i s b o d y n e ve r m or e will twine. Behold the earth with fatness doth abound By Virtue of Nitres two flying Spirits By sublimation falling on the ground The growing substance Quickening life inherits Ttris is our Balsom and Fire Natural Nitre from Sulphur Armoniack Mereurial. F ro m P i tch l e e s sh ar p oil str ong fir e extr act Let foeces dry with phlegm 3 fingers cover Si x d a ys i n b a th d i g e st in water r ed, in act H a v e d ra w n th e T i n ctu re t put fr esh, then cover , D i g e s t , e xtra ct i n a l l points as befor e U n t i l th e w a te rs b e co l our ed no m or e. 16. L5.

18.

Ca ]e i n e th e S u l p h ur , fixed Salt to gain Whieh oft dissoLve congeal with his own phlegm When Crystalline in show it doth remain I m b i b e h i n w i th h i s A i ry Spir it of phlegm T h e W a te ry su b sta n ce th en distil away T h e V o l a ti l e w i th fi xe d Salt m ay stay. 1 8 . A n d w h e n yo u sh a 1 l exeeed the sam e thr eefold By Fire sublime the foliate Earth to gain Clearer then Pearl and richer than fine Gol-d A n d y i e l d to h i m h i s S ulphur eous oi1 again Join 3 in one which is our leaven Tree First branch whereof we call Antimony. J-9. The balm of Gold his Mercury is such It purgeth men, the Sulphur of the same W i l l S i l -ve r Go l d ti l I trial of the touch Which put in fire yet will it take no flame W i t h i n th e fl o w e rs d o th the SaIt abide Pu r g i n g b y vo mi t w h e n i t shall be tr ied. 20. The Mercury of this Antimony Devouring Luna may well be called Swallowing up Gold in his custody Ki l l i n g th e Qu i ck, a g a i n of Life installed A n d t h i s o u r Qu i e ksi l ve r is or iginal 0f crude euicksilver and al1 Mineral. T h e R a d i ca l mo i stu r e fountain clear Where Vulcan washed Venus at the sea So cl-ear that no impure spot appear But shine as brightly by night as Sun by day p re ci o u s This L i q u o r i s so r ar e a thing W h i c h he a l -th a n d w e a l th into our state will br ing. l-g. 2I,

I7.

A nother ( 3) . 1. 0 f w h i te a n d R e d fi rst was f br ed, and Menstr ue did me feed N o w a m b u t o n e mu ch l i ke a Stone, but am no Stone indeed. I l a y l i ke S l i me sh u t for a time, heat changed my for m er sh ape, I was as fine as any twine when first in womb I lape. I n d a r kn e ss p re st, I l o ng did r est befor e I cam e to light, T h e n g re w I b i g , a s d o e s the twig, with puissant str ength and might. 2 . T h e n ma rk me w e l l , for down I fe1L, BS each thing has hi s ti m e N o w c ast a w a y, a s fi l th y c1ay, which was at fir st but slim e. S o l o a th so me su re , fe w will endur e m e in their hands to hoId, Bu t y et th e w i se , me n o t despise, they think m e r ich as Gol d. Can you not te1I then? Mark now well from whence I first was s o u g h t. m e br ought. 3 . F ro m P a ra d i -se so sa y the W ise, that Adam fir st N o w w h e re I d w e l 1 I sh a I1 you teII, and wher e you m ay me find, . I a m i -n th e e th a t re a d e st m e, this note bear well in m ind. W i t h l e tte rs th re e yo u m ay name me, and in thr ee me divide By f i r e s mi g h t, w h i ch i n your sight, these thr ee ar e quickly s pi ed. 4. An 0 i 1 fi rst ma rkr or water dar k, will seem as r ed as blood, A S a L t w i l l - fl y, a n d so ar on high Quite separ ate fr om the fl ood T h e s e 3 i n On e , w e ca l l our Stone, our Chaos which doth hold As w e d o re a d , th e p e rfe ct Seed of Silver and of Gold. Yo u m u st d i vi d e a n d se t aside the Ear th fr om W ater and Ai- r , T o d r y th e Mu d b y h e a t is good til1 then to touch for bear . The outr,vard heat hath wrought this heat by help of inward fire, The which did fry to powder dry this muddy Earth our Mire 0n which you shal1 l-et Water fal1 and dry the same agai.n, T h i s a s I sa y, i s ca L l e d our Clay and W ater of the M i- ne,

20,

ltris is fast,

o u r T o a d w h i ch her e is showed, that dr inks

the gr ape s s o

5 . U n ti l h e sw e l l s, a s Ripley tells, till all his bowels br as t. Be i n g o f su ch mi g h t, h e devour ing as is said; F o r w a te rs a l l d ri n k u p he shall, whieh then is caIled our L ead Here naught I fain, but teacheth you plain the first work of the I s h o w o u r S to n e , to e ver y one that will advised be. At t h e n e xt b i rth , o u r foliate Ear th, r pur pose to declar e, U n t i l wh i ch ti me , I ce a se to Rhym e, and wish you to for bear .

0 f T rue Pr inciples 1.

W i se Ge b e r, H e rme s, Raym ondand the r est O f g r a ve P h i l o so p h e rs so dar kly wr ote T o n o n e b u t S o n s, th i s Secr et they expr est F o r l g no ra n ts th e y u n d e rstood it not, T h e y wa n t th e P ri n ci p l e s of Natur es gr ound, For by expense this Art is never found. 2. In Vegetables and Animals of kind Which stranger be from Nature of Metal true Principles of this Art is hard to find C o m m on V i tri o l w e d o e xpell Sulphur nor Common quicksilver we use F o r w e fro m Me ta l s d o o ur subjects choose. 3. But he A searching And follows Not reading By h i s o w n How Nature w h i ch h a th a wit most natur al spirit into Natures ground Nature in her actions all_ much which wiLl the sense confound re a so n h e ma y well confine frames the Metal in the Mine. 2I.

4.

M e ta l th re e fo l -d w i thin their r oots we find Far off a mine and some more nearer be If thou canst wash the Sulphur and calcine With Salt and Vinegar orderly Knowing in Metal our Matter is contained Sulphur and Mercury is all Wise men meaned. 5, Sulphur alone can never Metals make Bu t i f h e j o i n e d b e w i th his Ar gent- vive C o n g ea l a ti o n a n d F i xa ti o n will they take Preparing Sulphur thou shalt see believe That many skins above there sha11 appear W h i c h i n sh o rt ti me w i l -1 gr ow dr y, white and clear . 6. eke, F o r e n g e n d ri n g me ta l and Elixir The Sulphur as the father it is The Mercury the WomanMenstrue like Nature oft in this Art imitating A n d i n th e Wo rk d o th N atur e over come T h e r e a re o u r P ri n ci p l e s both all and som e 7 , A d o u b l e fu me d o th penetr ate our Stone Wherein the Sulphur privily doth lurk with Mercury alone And mix itself A n d a r e d e co cte d th e re by Natur es W or k Where she converts them to a Metal pure L e a r n N a tu re ts S e cre t a nd then keep it B. Wh e n fi rst sur e.

high th e V a p our s shall be lifted A n d d esce n d i n to a n E a rth Rose Red To commonQuicksilver they turned sha11 be F r o m i mp e rfe ct Me ta l s V itr iols ar e br ed. T h e Su l p h u re o u s sp e ci e s pr epar ed r ight A r e t urn e d to Me rcu ry, Sol and Luna br ight. 22.

l t r i s i s th e S e e d w h enee Metals do begin 9. o f mi n e or place An d o f d i ve rsi ty And of the Sulphur pure or not washt clean Ar e M e ta l s a l te re d , so me fine som e base, T h e s e a cci d e n ts fro m ra dical Seed take And then thou mayst the true Elixir make 10. In Metall-ine bodys are Sulphurs twain And their Mercury by calcination Which was a Salt and to Salt is turned again 0f a true Calx the kind and fashion Sulphur and Mercury give fixation Within the Earth by long Conversion. Ou r A rse n i ck d o th of these par ticipate W h e r e fo re H e rma p h ro d i te we do it call n o Me ta l m ay beget Bu t o f i tse l f Our Tin and Lead are Salts etherial Mars and Venus two flmes from Sulphur rise T h i s W a te r co a g u l a te s i n to a Speci- es. 11. 12. firtia is a white fume of our Tin Giving a yeIlow colour to our Brass Vitriol hath a double fume within And Sulphur oftentimes is called Glass; But Sulphur and Mercury be f\rmes T h e w hi ch fro m V i tri o l dissolved com es. Vfhite firme a red within his belIy bearing Hath no actual Nature of ELement Called a Boar a Lion fierce and tearing B e i n g i n d e e d o u r tru e Quintessence The Copper Mine is Salt which Saturn call But Saturn is our Chaos holding all. L3.

23,

into W ater Ar e Su l p h u re o u s sp e ci e s clean pr epar ed F o r f i x e d b o d ys a re h a rd Salts in Natur e Which we make flying and the flying fixed Again the manifest we hide from sight And whieh lay hid we bring again to l-,ight. b o d ys d i ssolve From Foeces burnt our Mercury we draw M u l t i p l i ca ti o n w i th w h i ch must be Mark well this Secret following Natures l,aw And many Wonders art thou like to see p re p a re th e n fix, last mu1tip1y, B u t f i rst And these three orders fo1low warily. 15,

14.

Pe rfe ct

J . . 6 . Ou r S to n e a s K i n g which in him self is r ich W a n t s n o th i n g w h i ch to it doth apper tain Geber talks much of Marchasites by which O u r Sto n e o f P h i l o so p h e r s he doth mean W h i c h w e E IIX IR ca l l , b eing Miner al .Atd also Vegetable and Animal. 1 7 . I n th i s o u r S to n e consisteth Useing a natural preparation all our skill

I n i t i s Go Id a n d S i l ve r to his fill N o t c o mmo n b u t S p i ri tu a l in action T h i s Go l d i s P o ta b l e a n d Radical H u m i d i ty o f S u l p h u r ca l l ed the Soul. Orrr A g u a e V i ta e fro m our Stone descends And many liquor we extract from thence, Anong the whieh some wash and some do cleanse So m e do e o n g e a l a n d so me ar e a defence T h a t f ire d o n o t vi tri fy our Stone And thus we make use of every one. 24. 18.

Bl a ck, b l a cke r th a n black we do our Sulphur callW h e n h e g ro w s b l a ck i n calcination B u t d i ve rs co l o u rs b e fo re W hite do faIl And then Citrine and l-astly a Carnation It is Blackness doth endure forty days F o u r t y i n Wh i te n e ss a n d 40 the Red wise. 2 0 . E Ii xi r d o th i tse l f coagxr late Formed like an Egg but that his shelL is tender F r o m i t ta ke n o u g h t n o r add to his Estate tender B r e a k no t th e sh e 1 1 fo r loss of spir its B u t n o u ri sh i t w i th h e a t till at the last Btracted C o l o u rs a l l b e gone and past. Ar t in fables dar k Under Hercules and Anthces Power Preparati-on of Sulphur how to work By Jupiter turned to a Golden Shower of our Gold T h e y t e a ch th e d i sti l l a ti o n W h i c h Wi se Me n fo r a S e c r et gr eat did hold. 22. By Minerva armed we do understand T h a t W a te r d i sti l l e d , w hich W ater of Sulphur is By Vulcan flowing Minerva arrned Is Sulphur following the Water of his An d i s h i s S a l t i n p u tri faction W h i c h co n g e a l s a l l 23. b y fi res action. 2L. T h e P o e ts h i d th i s

L9.

By Mars our Sulphur they do plainly show By Tin our Air, and oft our Earth they mean By the Phoenix which always doth receive we know Orr Elixir how to multiply eertain By Demergogous Tale we bring to life W h i c h is th e S e cre t th a t is not so r ife.

25.

T h u s P o e ts a l l th e i r wor ks in fabl- es fained Be c a u se th e A rt sh o u l d never be attained,

2+.

A Brief

P a ra b o l i ca l

D e ser iption

of the Stone.

Though Daphne f1y from Phoebus bright, $et shall they both be one, And if you understand this right you have our hidden Stone. F o r D ap h n e sh e i s fa i r and white but volatile is she. P h o e b u s a fi xe d Go d o f might and Red as blood is he. Daphne is a Water Nympfr and hath of moisture store, Which Phoebus doth consume with heat and drys her very sore. T h e y be i n g d rye d i n to o ne, of Cr ystal flood must dr ink Ti11 they be brought to a White Stone which wash with Virgins milk. So long until they flow as wax and no f\-rmeyou can see, Then have you all you need to ask - praise God and thankf\rl be.

Verum Verlssimum . The True Work. W i s e m e n w i l l - re a d se e k and seek in this latter age Bu t m iss to fi n d fo r w h ich too sor e they sought. T i m e , Go o d s, l o st sp e n t have put some in a r age To seek the Thing which will cost right nought A piece of Earth congealed by Natures might M u c h l ike a S to n e , b u t is no stone in sight. Pr e p a r e th i s su b sta n ce to dissolve with fir e From whence three things at once by heat will 0 f w h i ch th re e p i n ts th e W ise men did desir e 26.

rise

T o w h ich th e y p u t a S a l t congealed like ice A n d t he n th e se fo u r th i n gs did distill again W h e n ce S a l t w i th 0 i 1 d i s solved did r i_se with r ain Fire natural- with Seed of Gold in Oil Remains below which we dry up to dust fn our Athanor we continually boil W h i c h d ry C Ia y mo i ste n often tim es we must For oft we grind, imbibe, bury and dry I n w h ich th e S to n e d o th kindly putr ify. T t r i s L e a d d i sso l ve l i ke butter som ewhat soft, D i s s o l ve i n B a l n e o w h a t will thence ar ise. Then fire of Sand will rise two fumes aloft A W h i te , a rrd R e d , ca l l e d Ar senick of the W ise. T h e F e a ce s b l a e k, e a l ci _ ne in fir e you may T i l 1 t h e y b e Wh i te o r e lse look som ewhat Gr ey. f n t h i rte e n w e e ks th i s Ear th thou W hite sha1l see Wherei-n three parts of water knit sha1l be . T h e s e fi xe d B o d i e s vo l a tile shaII be ff this first Water on again you put T o C o v e r i t i n a sma l 1 quantity Digest in sand one nipfrt the head. on shut. I n B a l ne o d i sti l th e w a ter weak away B u t V o l a ti l e w i th fi xe d Salt will stay C o n t i n u e th i s ti l l Wa te r loose his might And that the Earth i-ncreased be threefold, By h e a t su b l i me , co & s Sa1 Ar moniac br ight More richer far than any Indian Gol_d.

27.

f i r i s W h i te l e a ve d E a rth , divide it into two And in one part the Soul again must grow T h i s So u l i s A rse n i ck w hich likewise divide From greatest part sever , the White from Red I n t o f ixe d 0 i 1 s w h i th fi re Which are the lights, true Iet them be fr ied leavens for our Bread.

For when the Soul and Body be made one These are the Lights which must ferment our Stone The foliate Earth which did behind remain Dissolve in bath and make our Virgin Milk Itre which must feed our Infant born again T i I 1 he b e stro n g to w e ar a suit of silk.
fhen with Let our GoId and Silver with set i-n order border.

him be guarded

an Orient

Carmina Lapidis. Ol t o f a n 01d W r itten Book .

Ilre Wor1d is in a Maze and what you why F o r s o oth o f l a te a g re a t r ich man did die And as he 1ay a dying on his bed T h e s e wo rd s i n se cre t to his son he said M y So n, q u o th h e , tti s good for thee I die For thou shal-l- much the better be thereby A n d w h e n th o u se e st l i fe hath me ber eft Take what thou findest and where f have it Ttrou dost not know, nor what my riches be A L l w hi ch I w i l l d e cl a re , give ear to m e An Earth I had all venome to expelI

left

28.

And that I cast into a mighty well_ A lVater eke to cl_eanse what was amiss I threw into the Earth and there it is M y S i l ve r a l l i n to th e Sea I cast My Gold into Air and then at last Into the fire for fear it should be found I threw a Stone, worth forty thousand pound W h i c h S to n e 'w a s g i ve n me by a m ighty King W h o b a d e me w e a r i t i n a fair gold r ing quoth he, this Stone is by that Ring found out If wisely thou canst turn the ring about For every hoop contrary is to other Yet well aga.ee and of the Stone is Mother And now my Son f will declare a Wonder That when f die this ring will break asunder T h e Ki n g sa i d so b u t ye t he said withall Although the Ring be broke in pieces small A n e a sy fi re sh a l 1 so o n it close again W h o t h i s ca n d o h e n e e d s not wor k in vain TiIl this my hidden treasure be found out .When I am dead my Spirit sha1l walk about And stay with him ti1l you may riches have Make him to bring you fire from the Grave These words a worldly man did chance to hear W h o d ai l y w a tch e d th e S pir it, but neer the neer e And yet it met him and every one Y e t t e l l s h i m n o t w h e re is this hidden Stone.

Mi.cr ocosltus. Ihe adamical matter we may understand to be T h e p ai n s o f th i s mo st l ittle wor r d wher ein we plainly

see

29.

A11 things that needful are and nothing overplus Our fiery Mercury it is by Art prepared thus Worl-d The true Hermaphrodite Adam and the true little T h e w hi e h a mo n g th e Wi sest m en so highly is extold Mercury When Corporal Salt with Waters Quick our Spiritual And Sulphur animate be mixt and joined naturally Then Nature doth begin to work by her separating fire By which impure Sulphur is divided from the pure And Earth from SaIt is separated likewise and Mercury From the faint Water of the Clouds as Nature can devise A g a i n d e co ct th e se p u re par ts into a body pur e In the which SouI and Spirit both are fixed firm and sure. This is the only milk and Stone which nourisheth our King From the which union again our Mercury doth spring not com m onof the m ine M e r c u r y P h i l o so p h i ca l , B u t o u r a cci d e n ta l i s, which will with bodys join For being fixed it father is of wonders great and smalI which we M agnesia call I t i s b o th b o d y a n d sp i rit composition of Earth parts and dry But our first .Ttre body of Magnesia we call it certai-nly. Bu t w h e n Qu i cksi l ve r w e do join in bodys to congeal M a g n e si a w e d o ca l l i t, this r ule m ay never failOur Stone being raw we water call wherein contained is of Silver cleaned S a t u r n , Ju p i te r, a n d V enus our filth W h i c h b e i n g i n q u i e ksi L ver , M agnesia I do m ean W h i t e .S u l p h u r w e d o ca l l it but being boiled r ed Is Gold, Correl, and Orpiment and Leaven for our bread Boil, grind and wash the body cleanse and make his hardness nesh H i s f i ery T i n e tu re h i d e which is his Soul and fl- esh rest for it is life not dying l / l u s t i n a n o th e r sp i ri t Which to another body join and they will both be flying That is our Mercury sublimed of Air and fire Light United both in wedl-ocke band and made our Sulphur bright'

30.

Mercury, SaIt, Sulphur spring all from one rock and mi-ne Fix SaIt and Sulphur to congeal Mercury not to twine In them is such affinity in spermatting aright The Agent body Lune I mean and Mercury his Light Which patient is the nutriment which Menstrus we do call It is the Salt of Alembrott the which congealeth all And doth revi-ve the dead from death into a 1ive1y Stone B y m e a n s o f Wa te r rti s bor n nur st by decoction The spirits they will neer dwe1l in bodys foul and hard pr epar ed. T i l 1 t he y ca l e i n e d to d ust be with sinple spir its

A. Pr oblem . Behold the thing which quiets every mind Which many seek but very few can find Here view the dead where Nature can no more Work on her Corps as she hath done before of Joys: the Cause T h e L a st o f b i rth i s fi rs t of Joys is last of Natures laws And first {then first and last by Art is wisely framed Then shalt thou see the Bear and l,yon tamed The flying Dragon and the Serpent lurking, I n W a te rs w i l d sh a l l cl ose be set to wor king I f t h i s my ve rse b e d a rk unto thy sight A n d t h e n i n sce n e s i t n othing thee delight Then in good truth set al-l thy works apart And trouble not thyself with this our Art For if thou be but of a pregnent wit Thy humour right for that they plainly show Ttre Mine where Gold and Silver both do grow And eke the way to work and bring to pass As N a tu re i n th e Mi n e , s o in the Glass;

3 l-.

With Equal heat continuing to the Errd T h y P re ci o u s S to n e w i th Iittle ehar ge to spend M u e h ma y b e sa i d b u t b riefly to conclude T h e y ha ve mu ch w ri t b u t only to delude.

T h e P h i losopher s Br ass. Our Golden Tincture springs from bodys four w h e r e so u l s ca l re d su l p hur s Iie hid with thelr power F i r s t e a rth y b o d i e s j o i n ed to our br ass do car l Orr body of Magnesia name you shall But when the spirits be congealed with Clay putrified And Magnesia call you may Bu t i n th e ti me o f p u tri faction Call it you may the philosophers Saturn W h e n qu i cksi l ve r i s i n the body congealed By grinding washing and boiling is prevailed Then bodys soft pure and subtil are found Quieksilver burning bodys in one bound ' T h e s o ul o u r T i n ctu re i s in. other spir it hid A n d s p i ri t to a n o th e r b ody is wed Orr fiery poison bringing this to pass B e i n g d e co cte d l o n g w i th in our glass T i 1 l b od ys b e L i ke b u tte r or like br ain 0 r t h a t th e sp i ri t w i l l ascend again W i t h g en tl e fi re th e n sublim e the Soul lVhich wiLl ascend from the dregs corporeal By A r t ma ke p a rt o f th i s Quicksilver r ed, D i v i d e i n tw o p a rts to stand thee in stead, Mix one part with those things due of our brass D i s s o l v e co n g e a l th e m a l l within the glass T h e s e co n d p a rt i s fo o d to feed this youth

32.

At ? times we give it meat for truth two parts of brass in tables beaten small F\rlI seven parts of venom add you shall T h i s S e a Wa te r w i th ve ry gentle fir e D i s s o l ve th e b o d ys to o ur own desir e' But when you see that blackness shall appear The bodys then be molten without fear forty days In which Sea water boiling A F l o we r o f Wh i te S a l t to the top will r ise M o s t s h i n e i n g w h i te to sight it well appear Congealed by heat our white Stone called Air If one of three parts Water you congeal And keep trl.roparts of Water you do well Ttris foresaid Compoundbeing white and dry By strong fire it into ashes fry which then will shine like ashes somewhat green S e v e n ti me s d i sso l ve i t and congeal again W i t h Me rcu rY re se rve d b efor e A n d t o th i s I n e e d n o t to wr ite ffior '

H e a ve n of the PhilosoPher s. Our Heaven yeildeth to each growing thing cold Bo t h mo i stu re , d .rl me ss, heat and chilling For that our stars such influence forth do bring hold' S a t u r n a n d L u n a , co l d a nd moist spir its hot and dry But So1 and Mars have spirits Jovalls hot and moist these bear rule on high Our fixed Salt which is our heavens ground from the sky Whose Diamond. circles glistening Are shinning fires and burning Comets round

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From Sulphureous Substance whieh flame and fry W h i c h i n Me rcu ri a l S p i ri ts shine so clear Pr o c e ed i n g fro m th e S u bstance of the Air . Sulphur in flame, and Mercury in wind Earth volatile gives Air taste sharp and sour Which Sulphur Salt and Mercury we find From whence the Air her influence doth pour Within the Thunderbolt is Salt fuII fixed T h u s , i n th e A i r all th r ee be duly ;nixed.

F r o m e rysta l e l o u d s o f Heaven doth descend A w a t e r w e a k, fro m w a te r doth distil A s u b ti l A i r, Me rcu ri -a l Liquor s send The Waters gross which Sulphureous parts did fill O r r p e n e tra ti n g A i r mo re gr oss of spir it Then do our Earthly Mercuri-es fnherit T h e El e me n ta l b o d i e s vi sible . Ap p e a r i n tw o , o n e mo i st the other dr y A Sa n d y E a rth , d e p ri ve d of taste or sm ell Unsavory phlegm from whence euick spirits fly There two, the passibe having lost the strength An d s o i s A i r d e p ri ve d of for ce at length T h e E l e me n ts th e i r a cti ve qualities To Mercury Salt and Sulphur do pertain T h e p assi b e to th e i r b o dies in likewise And so Salt Sulphur and Mercury do remain W h i c h b y a n 0 i 1 a re j o i n ed all in one And Water, Air and Earth by Water alone

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T h u s by a me a n w e se e a Conjuncti- on made As Sand and Water by a fatty Lime Thus makes the Dauber Mortar by his Trade So Air and Earth by Water well do join And fire extracted as from other three when one there be Quickening the Principals

A f o u r th E sse n ce th i s A ir , fir e we call From form and Matter of ye Elements three Which is the Soul that animated all Ttre bodies of our Prineiples that be Col-ours to forms belong this Spirit and Soul And Elements cl-ean unto Matter corporal.

Ih e Pr opor ti- ons. Oe fixed bodies fix our Sulphurs twaine prepare our ferments pure and thin But first . T o n o u ri sh yo u th b y q u i ek cor oesion And to his Nature bring the Sulphur in. firis Sulphur Enters Nature by a mean O f h i s o w n Wa te r w h i ch it doth r etain. So i n Wa te rs d i sso l ve o ur Sulphur fir st T h a t i nto b o d i e s i t ma y better mix T h e n i nto fe rme n t th ri ce dissolve to dust will- our Sulphur fix And by often iteration Boil- Air and Mercury not fixed thereon That both may take a fit impressi-on.

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let

ferment white

And Earth As two of And three Fix Water T h e n sh a l t

Sulphur bear must equal Air and Water or more Water one and half of Air and half of Earth or less then four. on Earth and Air on Water th o u h a ve a per fect Matter .

three

times his

But to thy Gold let Earth two parts suffice O f W a te r th re e a s mu ch of Air do take One part and half of fire if thou be wise Let weight of Fire half the Water make I f C o lo u r w a n t a d d Me d i cine as befor e I f t o o mu e h C o l o u r th e n put Matter m or e. Grind three parts Silver with Mercury six One part white Sulphur with his Water W i t h on e p a rt mo re Wa ter likewise let him m ix Then with strong fire sublime both anon And that which on the Vessel clear shall shine .With his own Water pour on dregs of Wi-ne. G r i n d se e th a n d ro a st ti l1 pap it be m ixed Ag a i n su b l i me i t d o i n g as befor e R e i t e r a te th i s w o rk ti 1 I Ear th be fixed W i t h t rvi ce h i s w e i g h t o f W ater and no mor e, I t r e n i n l i ke so rt b y d rops with Air it feed W i t h g e n tl e fi re w h e n i t shal1 need And in this sort fix all this Air you may Both day and night with fire then strong it I,et fire increase the second night and day But in the third the stronger fire make T i s s ub sta n ce fe e d u p o n a vehem ent fir e T i I l l ike to w a c i t me l t to your desir e.

bake

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A D e c l a ra ti o n o f th e F i rst M atter with N a m e o f th e A u th o r a n d His Pr ofession.

the Or der of the W ork , the

Even as the rocks which bind thy solid Earth, D o t h Mi cro co sme i n i t self contai- n W o r l - d s co i n th e l e e s w h ich br ingeth for th a bir th' Adamical Matter foul and unclean R e c t i f y th i s a s N a tu re doth us guide Distil, C a l ci -n e a n d E a rth fr om Air divide. N e s h o ft th y w o mb w i th oiI, water and air , Oft dry and grind tiI1 Earth have drunk up all, W h i c h d o n e d i sso l ve a g a in this Ear th to clear that which wiLl fa11, Ev e n as b e fo re d i sti l I , e t f a ee e s b l a ck ca l ci n e d be by fi- r e, Like to burnt Salt but in colour somewhat higher. 0r cover this with his first water bright Four fingers over place it then in sand w a te r loose his might Distil a g a i n ti l l 'And be as faint as water of the Land increase you again And this continue till Fourfold at least and then sublime again. Then foliate Earth which is our fire will rise Over the head and hang as white as snow R e e e i ve th i s fl o w e r th a ts honour ed of the W ise Dissolve with rnilk and let the Infant grow Drcept one part of this be made a Child Y o u r l a b o u rs l o st a n d you your self beguiled.

3?.

R e t u r n th e S o u l a n d S p i rit to body dead E a r t h o r A sh e s w h i ch w e had did r est Nurse well- this fnfant being newly bred MiLk let him have from his own Mothers breast Until sueh time he strongly may endure N e w f o od to e a t h i s co u r age to pr ocur e. Good gentle reader understand my Trade I r o n i n d e e d th e b a se st Metal is R e s t t he e co n te n t th o u g h Gold I never m ade By gains of Metal all my Living is A n d c r e d i -t me i f th a t th ou be of skill T h o u w i l t i n l o ve re q u i te my gr eat good wilI.

To fire Deriders

0f Alchemy.

W h a t f ol l o w s o ft co n si st in lear ned Men, W h o s e qu i ck i n ve n ti o n shewed by their pen C a n w r i te a tra g i ck sto ry or devise ' So t " c ommi ck to y to p l e a s e the viewer s eyes, B u t m i sse d to se e h o w b l inded some be sti1l To write against Arts wherein they have no skiIl A n d o f te n ti me s to p l e a se both fools and sage, W i L I c au se th e i r w o rk (to) be acted on a stage T h i s b ri n g e th g a i n i n to the poets pur se T h e f o x fa re s b e st w h e n most men do him cur se And when he can not well obtain his prey He discommends the thing as many say To such as write against this Art Divine Not knowing ought thereof do grudge and pine B u t i f su ch Qu i ck co n e e its shoul- d change their An d k n o w w h e re i n th e Wi se did them beguile stile

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W h e r e i n th e i r b o o ks th eir wr iting they obscur e W i t h o ffe rs g re a t th e si m ple to allur e F o r t h at su ch re a d e rs w anting Ar t or ski1l B r e a k po t a n d g l a ss, u se bellows Coal and Still Sow Gold and Silver multiply with brass And in the Ehd can nothing bring to pass, Threadbare their cloaths their Members out of frame Abuse the Art, not knowing ought the sane Su c h wo rkme n C h a u ce r i n his tale doth flout B u t t h e tru e A rt co mme ndethwithout doubt, And so would all our poets if they knew The mine wherein our Seed of Gold doth grow W h a t d o th e y th i n k th e ms elves to be mor e wise T h a n H e rme s, A rn o l d , B a con and the r est W h o b y th e i r w ri ti n g s h ad this Ar t expr est, But yet so darkly writ that few or none Can know or find the meaning of our Stone Such as know naught and nothing seek to find Their writings vain and they themselves as blind Bl-ind in this Art, I say, though EJre sight clear And Quick their wits as by their works appear Yet let them write naught against but what they know And for the same can a good reason show True Alchemist though few such sure therebe Do know fuIl well with what Art doth agree They seek the thing Nature did work and frame And having ended she did cast away the same I t h a d a ti me , th e w h i e h time did expir e And his new birth began by force of fire And every one who doth not know his price E s t e e m i t n o t b u t ye t th e Lear ned wise Account thereof as the only thing on Earth T h a t l i ve i n g d i e s a n d h ath a second bir th.

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H a r d a s a S to n e b u t o n ce was soft and tender Small as a hair white pure and as tender. Now like an Egg in Nature not in show By fire from thence will divers Liquors flow Earth White and Red our Chaos doth infotd W h i c h we co n co ct a n d b ri ng to seed of Gold V{hich seed we Mercury and Sulphur eal1 From whenee all Metals spring both great and Not conmon brimstone or Quicksilver crude B u t f o li a te E a rth a n d A rsenick to conclude, 0f which by long concoetion we do frame A Powder Red which Elixir name Aurum Potabile we do it call W h e n i n to o i l i t i s d i ssolved all But to divide our Chaos in his kind In Genesis or Esdras you shall find Water and Air from Earth God first did take Then muddy Earth with fire did dry and bake W i t h i n w h i ch E a rth a l l treasur es hid do lie But Air as Wind about the Earth did fly may compare Unto the whieh I fittly T h e s c o ffs o f su ch a s h er e m entioned ar e.

Finis

Per Edward Nowe1l .

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