Page 22 - Charnock alchemical letter

all other infirmities of the body above all other medicines of physick. For
if the disease be of a month it heals them in one day, and if it be of a
year’s increase it heals them in fourteen days, and if it be an old disease
of long continuance it heals them within twenty-eight days. And this is
the most precious stone of the world which is valued above all worldly
treasure. Et est donum spiritus sancti. 4

The Oxford Man

Marry sir as you say, this were a blessed chance, if it might happen in
such a short time: for though seven years be a long time, yet seven year
will soon be come and gone. But I pray you what do you mean to do with
your second work, if I may learn?

Master Charnock

I will present it also incontinent with the other to the Queen majesty, for
a trial of that which shall follow which she shall command to be melted
and examined, which if it doth not prove to be as good gold and as fine
as the old royal, then let her majesty forthwith command my head to be
stroken off, upon the scaffold at Tower Hill, and well worthy for that I
have deluded my princess, and taken upon me that thing which I was not
able to comprehend.

The Oxford Man

By Saint Mary quoth he, and shrugged with his shoulders, you had need
to be careful in your works and the most diligent in tending to your fires,
if you make such a covenant. And what will you do with your third work
if I may conveniently know?

Master Charnock

I will keep it for the maintenance of my first work which I did present,
named the very true and perfect philosophers’ stone, to work it at any
time or need at the Queen majesty’s commandment or by her honourable
council, as aurum potabile5 for medicine, for the preservation of life. If
anything contained within the circulation and course of the sun, which he
doth make in 24 hours will service and by the sufferance of the Queen
majesty to my own commodity for the preservation of my health or for
any friend of mine who I shall vouchsafe it upon.

17