Theatrum chemicum Britannicum· Containing severall poeticall pieces of our famous English philosophers, who have written the hermetique mysteries in their owne ancient language. / Faithfully collected into one volume, with annotations thereon, by Elias Ashmole, Esq. Qui est Mercuriophilus Anglicus. The first part.

TAke of the eger bloud that is so Red, And distill that by Lymbick till it be bright, Therewith dissolve the Philosphers lead, Filtering it till it be cleere in sight, Evaporating it if ye do right. And from the Medicine with strong Fier, D••still our Mercury most of myght, Rede as blood and strong of Eyre, And there you have your Stone I wysse, Conteyning in them all that you neede, The Erth thereof true Ferment is. Of our purpose yf you will speede, In other Bokes whatsoever you Reede, From this Doctrine you never flitt, But further with these Stones proceede; Into foure Elements dividing it, Ayre, Water and Oyle well rectified, The Earth by boyling make white as Whale bone, Againe together them neately joyne, And of them make a precious stone; The matter goeth to the White alone, This Aristotle tought Alexander his lore, The Stone thus fixed make fugitive, Againe with Aer reserved in Store; And then againe make fix belyve: Multiply it in one and more, With Nature and Oyle reserved in store, Both white and red as you did first, This secret made me study full sore, Many a night ere I it wyste;

For my Master from me it hidd. Now is one point yet behind, With this Stone that must be done: Ingendering him of Water, Ayr and Winde, The Red on Sun the White on Moone, Molten looke thow cast full soone; And Multiply in them their Tincture, And then take of the powder with a spoone, And straine it on Mercury hott and pure; And a marvelous Battell thow shalt se soone Betweene that and the said Mercury, Either it will turne it Sun or Moone, And then thou shalt the Mastery unfold, And thus proceeding Multiply, In every thing as I have tould; And thus endeth our PHILOSOPHY.