Page 37 - Book of Composition

Morienus speaks of names of kinds.

O good King, first it behoves you to know, that red fume, citrine fume,
white fume, the green lion, Almagra, the uncleaness of death, blood
Eudica, and stinking Earth, are those things in which the whole efficacy
of this Magistery consists : which can by no means be done without
these.

King Calid : Explain these names unto me.

Morienus : In the end of the book I will explain them: because now
presently I will make the Magistery before you of those things of which
these are the names, that those things which we have now spoken may be
proved by the effects of the thing itself, For this is the root of this
science, that he who will learn it, must first take the doctrine thereof of
his Master, and afterwards let the master do it often times before his
disciple. And there are some who seek this science a long time in vain,
and yet they find it not. But work you always in these things, in which
you shall see me to work, nor seek no other thing in this Magistery,
which if you shall do, without doubt you cannot err. But there are many
stumbling blocks in this science, for as the wise men say, there is much
difference between the wise and the ignorant, and between the blind and
those that have their sight. For he that knows the disposition of this
Magistery, does not also know perfectly the comprobation thereof, but is
as he is which remains yet in it by the inquisition of it by books. For
there are books of this art made under a figure, the greater part of which
seem much obscure, and the science annexed to them cannot be
understood but of these compilers. This is the science which among
others ought most to be sought for, when as by it we may come to
another more admirable.

King Calid: All that you speak is true, and the truth of it flourishes in its
exposition.

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