Page 35 - Book of Composition

diminishing of it. All which being finished, let it be taken from the fire
with all the things in it, because, by the help of God, the iteration of the
art is ended.

King Calid: We will do in this sort as you speak, and Blessed be the
Name of the Lord.

Morienus : O good King, you must also know, that all the perfection of
this Magistery consists in the taking of the bodies conjoining and
agreeing : for these bodies are joined substantially by natural
workmanship, and they do agree, and are melted and also are by course
received ; for they better themselves, that they may appear more fair
upon the fortitude of the fire. And when as the searcher of wisdom shall
perfectly understand the taking of these bodies, and their decantation and
their solution and necessary disposition, and their mixing and decoction,
let him afterward know the quantity of the fire, and the constitution of
their furnace, and the kindling of their fire, that is in what place of the
furnace the fire ought to be kindled. And also the number of their days,
and the measure of their weights : for if he should handle all these things
providently and wisely, by the help of God his intent and desire shall be
accomplished. Therefore let the artificer be free from all hastiness, and in
the place of it let him use reason and providency, and firm expectation:
but that which most fits these bodies, is blood. For it revives and
conjoins them, and makes one body of all them. Wherefore put a gentle
fire unto it, and let it burn the space of its days with all equal heat : for
the body consumes itself by the heat of the fire. Creeping in the fire : for
if Eudica (the faeces of glass) be put unto them, it will free from all
combustion those bodies that are changed into Earth. For bodies are
presently burned, after they retain their souls no longer. Eudica does well
agree with all bodies for it revives them and makes them fit, and defends
them from all combustion. For it sends some of them into others, and
afterwards defends them from over much heat. And when you will seek
Eudica, seek it in glazed vessels, which when you shall find, there hide
it, or lay it up and do not anything with it until it be made sour.
Also the stinking earth quickly receiv es white sparkles, and forbids the
blood that it be not hurt in the decoction, for the strength and fortitude of
the blood is over great. Wherefore the blood is to be braken [blackened]
that it neither hinder, nor profit ; and let this breaking [blackening] be
made after it shall be whitened. This which remains of the colours
possesses blackness. That is also the secret of this Magistery, which here
I have briefly collected together, and being collected I have expounded it

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