Page 42 - Charnock alchemical letter

knew all their minds and which way they did work, as he in his book
named the Compound of Alchemy17 doth make reports, saying :

A marvel it is Westminster Church
to the which these philosophers do haunt
since they so much riches can work
as they make boast of, and avaunt
drinking daily the wine a due taunt
it is not made up say they, perfectly at once
for truly it lacks many small stones
This fellowship knoweth our stone full well
they think them richer than is the king
they will him help, he shall it not fail
France for to win a wondrous thing
the holy cross home will they bring
And if the king were prisoner take
anon his ransom would they make
And when they sit there at the wine
these monks they say, have many a pound
would God sayeth one, that some were mine
they care away let the cup go round
drink one sayeth to another, the mean is found
I am a master of this art
I warrant us we shall have a part
fools do follow them at the tale
promoted to riches winning to be
but will you here that worship and avail
they win at London that noble city
with silver maces as you may see
sergeants waiting on them, each hour
so be they men of great honour
But when the sergeants, do them a rest
their packs be puffed with Paris balls
or with signets of Saint Martin’s at the least
but as for money it is pissed on the walls
then be they led as well for there befalls
to Newgate or Ludgate, as I you tell
because they shall in safeguard dwell
And then their debtors they flatter so
promising to work for them again

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