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An Alchemical poem by Thomas RawlinTranscribed from The British Library MS. Sloane 3643, at the end of 'A warning to the false Chymists or the Philosophical Alphabet by Thomas Rawlin' folios 14-55. This work was printed in Latin, Thomas Rawlin, Admonitio de Pseudochymicis, seu Alphabetarium Philosophicum in quo refutatur aurum potabile Antonii, 1611.All Things from One, and to One. In the Center Truth, in the Circumference Vanity. A Magicall �nigma. The omnipotent God in the rotten Mass. (as it were in a Chaos) to be despised, To us Mortalls has left all things, Yet they in the Nature of Things are but one. It is a Mass of Dust, a despicable Thing; A Fire, an Aquosity; a most amiable Fountain; It is neither a Stout Captain, nor invincible; When it is not drawn out of its Cradle. It is an old Man; it is an Infant; the Lord of all; It is the red Servant, contrary to the King; It is the green Lyon; something more sublime Than the King, or Subjects; but fugitive. It flys, and attracts; the Virgin obeyeth not, Unless the Father provoke her with Many Goads; Then she follows, and much demands A Husbands company, with whom she cohabits. She is covered and impregnated with the Embrace, A clear Water is evacuated out of her Heart With Blood, wherewith she is raised up Now dying as it were, and is recreated. Things bright and clear being so obtained The King and Queen being begot togeathere Being put presently in the Secret Prison, Feed them with heavenly Dew; not Watry things. Being Dead at length, the Spirit flys away Washes and purifys the Soul and the Body Then a more intense Fire allway perpetuats With a cold Fire; it volatilizes not. Now no Errour follows in the Work, Burn all with a very strong Fire, Bring out at length the Blood, the Soul After the White King: Then thrice imbibe. (The King being thus known) the Body is the Soul, And fixt, and permanent, although like Wax; The Colour is not an Accident; but a Substance Reigning in all, with the highest Glory. Glory to God alone, the three-one. If you have problems understanding these alchemical texts, Adam McLean now provides a study course entitled How to read alchemical texts : a guide for the perplexed. |