Verses at the end of B. Valentine's mystery of the Microcosm.

1
The Philosopher speaketh thus.
Bright glorious king of all this world, o Sun,
Whose progeny's upholder is the Moon,
Both whom Priest Mercury does firmly bind,
Unles Dame Venus favour you do find, <5>
Who for her spous Heroic Mars hath ta'ne.
Without her aid what ere you do's in vain.
Jove's grace neglect not. Saturn old & grey,
In various hews will them himself display
From black to white from white again to red <10>
Mounting on stilts he'el walk till he be dead.
And streight returning into life again
Henceforth in quiet rest he shall remain
Lady in greens cry oh my son most dear
Come Antimony & assist me here. <15>
Come noble salt; come guard me & defend
That worms of me make not a wofull end.
Here followed an oenigma deciphering Vitriol. Then these verses,
Of Venus corpse make thee a Stone
And drive therefrom the spirit alone <20>
Red thick & troubled like to blood
Which hiews in pieces Mars the stout
Of which again make the a stone
Just as thou madst the former one
Wherein lyes hid a wondrous force <25>
To cloath white Luna's naked corpse
Without it sol brings nought to pass
Of mercury it makes an Ass.
If thou these things canst fit aright
In the last Judgement they'l delight. <30>
<1v>

Antimony
Of me alone thou nought art able
To make for metalls serviceable.
And what I'm wont to purify
And make an oyle of mercury
Then with the eagle let Mars fight <35>
After on both sides us unite
That thus agreement made it may appear
To all men's sight demonstrative & clear
How by necessity I force the Moon
That from pale silver ruddy gold may come. <40>

Sulphur
I hither from vast hills retire
A meer consuming burning fire.
Metals by me intirely perish
And yet their kindred I do cherish
Being prepared rightly too <45>
Something in Medicine I can doe
But whosoe're his mind hath set
To reap from Metals benefit
Must seek it in another kind,
Nothing of that in me hee'l find. <50>
Onely to graduation I
Have something which he may apply.

Arsenicum
The soot of melting houses is my name
Being a noysome fierce & poys'nous steam
I can pretend unto no further might <55>
Since I my body have forsaken quite
Therefore no man as once twas heretofore.
Can now attain my body to restore
But whensoere with dextrous art & skill.
My noysom venom you shall tame & kill <60>
<2r>

2
Then man & Beast may both be cur'd by me
And oft from dangerous sicknesses set free.
Els I am poyson still & so remain
Putting rash heads & hearts to deadly pain.
Yet take good heed you rightly me prepare <65>
To watch & ward me having a due care

Sal Armoniac.
When my wings do moult & fade.
And I a water bath am made
Together with my foe of th' Earth,
Then of us both shall be brought forth <70>
That which all metals will divorce,
And drive them on with mighty force.
But Tartar thereto must be joynd,
And so pure Mercury you'l find.
I can no more bestow on thee, <75>
For gold & silver none have I.

Sal commune.
I am a balsam wondrous sound.
What ever in the Eagle's found
In me I equally comprise;
Yet metals nere to riches raise. <80>
I only them in pieces rend,
Purging & cleansing all their kind.
I also draw their tincture out
If first I bee to sweetness brought
Wines spirit causes me much woe, <85>
Gold potable does witness so.
<2v>

Saltpeeter
A wondrous salt on earth am I
My like you hardly will espy
You scarce without me ought can end
Except my help I thereto lend. <90>
The Eagle cannot spare my cost
When metalls he intends to roast.
Salt common if from me he go
Without me no great thing can do.
My ice-like form is very slight <95>
Wherein is found an Hellish sprit.
Nature her self in both of these,
Show's figur'd with varieties.

Tartar
Salt vegetable is my name
Strong wines will understand the same <100>
If other salts to me you add,
They unto keys by me are made.
My spirit aiding they (themselves to wreke)
Do all the metals into Atoms break
This virtue from the earth I brough with me <105>
That they to quicksilver should turned be.
No plant does this in all the world beside
Me onely Nature hereto dignifi'd.
Such mightly deeds joynd with such friendliness
Not one amongst a thousand men would guess. <110>
<3r>
3
Concerning the mastery of the seven Planets, their essence properties, powers &
courses, also their hidden mysteries & wonders.

Concerning the first & highest Planet ( ) Saturn.

From highest heaven I appear
And shine abroad both far & near
That scarcely any know me can
Of parts I am a wondrous man
Hugely melancholi am I <115>
Thence 'tis I have a beard so grey
Saturday my day became
And 'twas from me it took its name
My course is wholly circular
And finisht every thirtieth year <120>
(Thereto five days & six howers add)
yet never any rest I had.
Capricorn and Aquarious
To me are both obnoxious
A beautious Granat clear & brave <125>
My Angel me Oriphiel gave
I sat & counted day & night
How many goods I compas might
Just after the old misers guise
Who nere the more to riches rise <130>
Wherefore my Art's Astronomy
To reccon what my colours be
You black shall find, white, yellow, red,
When need is, standing in no stead
My spirit's sweet, & cold as Ice <135>
For theft I bear away the price
But when my spirit's fettered,
I make good what I promised.
<3v>
Then I can tame & change & bind
All that must els be left behind. <140>
Faith will teach you what did pass
How I grown old converted was.
My stilts away from me I cast
That so without them I might hast
Then was a ruddy oyle exprest <145>
Thorow extraction manifest
Which after being purely still'd
Mercury soon it bound: & held
So fixt & permanent his sprite
As't equald Luna fine & white <150>
From whence a pouder did proceed
From further care & peril freed.
Consider well & take good heed
For I am not the common Lead.
That I am of a different kind <155>
You in my book shall plainly find
Prepar'd out of a minerall
If right you count, you'l hit the tale
For proof & tryall I was chose
Who bides with me shall want no blows <160>
And cannot to that heaven get
From whence at first I down alight
All that flyes I do indight
For which thank me grey-bearded wight
T' unfixed metalls I'm a deadly foe <165>
And bring them all to anguish & to woe
He who me duely seeks & rightly knows
Hath goods enough till death his eyes shall close
With my known sith I cut & mow all down
And parting say unto the world mow on. <170>
<4r>
4

On the second Planet ( ) Jupiter

Time past I many learned made
Whence honour like a God I had
And Thursday above all the days
Was celebrated to my prais
Which day e'en hitherto I claim <175>
Zachariel is mine Angels name
Within my court there many be
Who all expect relief from me
For maintenance of cup & dish
My subjects Bowman are & Fish <180>
To rich & poor I justice do
When I give audience thereto
Wherefore the scepter fits me well
My tongue in Rhetorick does excell
Whence me with Lawrel leaves she crownd <185>
Beset with roses all around
Adding thereto a golden crown
Set with a glorious Topas-stone
Whence that a Lord I am you see
Good hope never forsaketh me <190>
My roabs are yellow blew & white
With grew in winter I am dight
My journey I perform in hast
In twelve yeares my whole cours is past
Who's known in regions far & wide <195>
May find my wealth in England hid
Thither I over Sea must goe
The waters mighty salt, I trow,
My body soul & spirit too
Divide by art each other fro <200>
And them again together joyn
<4v>
And make them to a powder fine
Mix them according to their weight
& t'other metals fit them straight
So then you me in truth shall find <205>
To be a lord, & not an hind
Yet all things els have like success
Which God & Fortune pleas to bless
Therefore have Jove in honour still
Who with all good can you fulfill. <210>

Of the third Planet ( ) Mars.

When I through all the world did prance
With my sharp pointed steely lance
And many a fight ran to & frow
And after that returning home
Brought back with me a booty large <215>
The Souldiers all gave me the charge
Their Generall of the field to be
Each willing to take pay of me
Hence many a Lawrel win did I
And fortune's various changes trye <220>
For Samael mine Angel dear
Had not as then of me the care
Tis much I was not long since dead
To Pluto's Kitchen hurried
But God be praisd world without end <225>
Who to me did this Angel send
Although of Ram & Scorpion
In wars owe me subjection
Yet in the army whilst we lay
Some scurvy tricks they did me play <230>
Which had they not escapt me quite
<5r>

5
I with a halter would requite
Of purest steel's my Faucheon
And glisters like the Ruby stone
Wherewith the hills are garnished. <235>
On many hath this weapon fed.
It manfully does havock make
None sparing for distinctions sake
In peace I'm in a musty mood
My virtue's named fortitude. <240>
If I should chance to dy the death
Then all my goods I will bequeath
To my dear spouse & Queen high bread
Venus, most gently nourtered.
Which afterward she may present <245>
According to her hearts content
My noblest suit is deeply red
With purple dye replenished
A medicine may be made of it
In many cases wondrous fit <250>
But I my self can nothing do
Unless my mates be carefull too
For more with me must joyn of cours.
In two years I compleat my cours.
Which must to end be fully brought <255>
Before that I can finish ought
On Tuesday I declare my might
Which many a man esteems but light
No wings when I was born I had
But if the same thou chose & add <250>
That having past through wind & Sky
Where tops of mountains are most high
<5v>
And where the Heaven hath no end
Thou down again me headlong send
And make me streight a wind & sprite <265>
And Venus's troth unto me plight
Then shalt thou truely understand
That sun & Moon have been trapand
Yet I must first be steadfast made
That so my pomp may never fade <270>

Of the fourth Planet ( ) the Sun

Ore all the world my rayes most bright
In common do afford their light
On good & bad alike I look
And am with no mans person took
My course I run so suddenly <275>
That none my motion can espie
In days thre hundred sixty five
I my accomplishment atchieve.
Out of my roab you may prepare
A water excellent & rare, <280>
Which in less time then I'le now tell
Makes sickly men both fresh & well
The key of all these mysteries
In me alone intirely lyes
Twas to me by God's favour lent <285>
And by the Angel Michael sent
Grammar my art belongeth to,
Read in my book thou'lt find it so
Hence thy assent to this truth give
Thou must that justice still do live <290>
And hovers o're us yet aloft
Although she be deceived oft.
<6r>

6
My son bears a carbuncle stone
Which is not to the Vulgar known
When I my Lords to Counsel call <295>
It ever does on Sunday fall
My fixed body loose & drive
Forth out of it an argent vive,
And give to it that female's blood
Whence I received all that's good <300>
Then let us both with salt be fed
Wherewith my kin are furnished:
So shalt thou well perceive in thought
If I be a true king, or not.
O Moon this great request I make <305>
That thou do never me forsake
Since Venus is in readiness
Herself with thy best roabs to dress
How be't we both must have from her
Our richest & most costly gear <310>
On this consider steddily
Which I for farewel leave with thee

Of the 5t Planet ( ) Venus

The star of Venus I am nam'd
My operation's ever fam'd
'Mongst those whom of my tribe I own <315>
And wounded are by my blind son
pre Cupid Called anciently
Who in all lands lets arrows fly
Thus witnes men & weomen too
Who ere in love had much to do <320>
My liberall art is musick, I
With fervent passion it employ
<6v>
On stringed instruments I play
My virtue's called charity
The richest wines I love to drink <325>
And still of joy & mirth to think
All pastimes to be told by tongue
Of man, within my court do throng
My heavenly houses scales & Stier
I always in my Scutcheon bear <330>
My course in the high firmament
Days fifty & these hundred end.
Ananael is mine Angel, he
Does guard me from all treachery
With a rich stone he me endow'd <335>
Commonly named an Emraud
Transparent, green, splended & fine
With beautious colours I do shine.
Yet in me sticks a spirit red
I know no name it ever had <340>
This I of Mars my dear obteind
Famous for many battels gaind
As then a minerall was I
Liken'd to Earth most properly:
But I am now a fire most fierce <345>
A medicine powerfull & scarce.
'Tis true by violence 'twas wrought.
That I'm to a new virtue brought.
The breath which I expire with might
If the old Dragon drink of it <350>
With a new soule I him ind<ue>
Then shall a glorious oyle insue
From whence a tincture may be lead
With its own like apparelled

7
<7r>
Which white doth tinge & change to red <355>
This fixed pouder helps at need
My Bridegrom is the splendid Sun
From whom delight & joy I won
And he likewise from me again
Did strength & powr & wealth obtein <360>
This heritage falls to my Son
Who plays the wanton with the Moon
Whereby he heats her body so
That she by him with child doth goe
And after them will leave a race <365>
Of numberless advantages
Not one amongst a thousand is
Worthy of my hid mysteries.
This now for a good night I say
That fryday is a dainty day <370>
Then let Dame Venus freely pass
Shee'l bring thee to a wealthy place

Of the 6t Planet ( ) Mercury

We'nsday to be my day I chose
Becaus on it I first arose
And soon I bad the Earth goodnight <375>
And took me to an higher flight
And then forsook her ever more
Although the Mother which me bore
I sought amids the Aer for friends
And soon flew thence through blustring winds <380>
All colours in the world that be.
My Mother did impart to me
A crystal Raphael bestowed
<7v>
To make thereof what ere I wou'd
Since it receiveth colours more <385>
Then any man can number ore
The maid & Twins have finist that
Which crystall doth coagulate
But Raphael gave power to me
And me reduct to Mercury <390>
Both cold & heat I do contain
I run, I stand, I run again
I am so monstrous strange a man
That none me perfectly can scan
When I kept school & discipline <395>
Arithmeti was scholar mine
Who all her skill onely from me
Receivd of God's benignity
My walk to finish I must wait
Thre hundred fifty days & eight <400>
And if the world were twice as wide
With various sciences suppli'd
No man the famous stone can see
And make, except I present be
Now whither you be lord or man <405>
Mark well my doctrine duely scan
Consider right my mind, give ear
I am no common quicksilver
But born was of a noble stem
Before an Eagle I became <410>
Now wondrous wings I've every where
Ond hands, on feet, on head & hair.
Likewise about my body round
Feathers in every place abound.

8
<8r>
In case there any could be found <415>
That could with wit & judgment sound
Cause me these feathers of to cast
Hee'd gain great profit at the last
More goods & money hee'd receive
Then all the world can ere beleive <420>
But many men these writings flout
Knowing not how to make that out
Which in the middle & the end
And at beginning I intend.
Now soar aloft & mount will I <425>
From hence into a Throne most high
And thence to Hell descend below
And see how my six Fellows do
If frost & heat they can withstand
And faithfull be at my command <430>
That I my chiefest work may end
Where if the King can me retain
He lord of all the world shall raign
Herein the expert well may speed
To whome thou then mayst say thy creed. <435>

On the 7th Planet ( ) the Moon

If I were not of female kind
And with my derest king combined
What would become of's progeny
Which is to be upheld by me
'Tis strange my body is so chill <440>
Which yet the king can warm at will
Venus's provoking did incite
<8v>
And first stird up my appetite
Propheti Gabrael also said
The king should be espous & wed <445>
And brought to me a stone full dear
Set fast in gold, 'twas a Saphire
Transparent blew of colour brave
Which on the king's behalf he gave
And swore unto me by his life <450>
That I should be his wedded wife
Whereto if I'd but give consent
He'd lead me to his richest tent
Then I my best of skill imployd
Call'd Logi , & moreover said <455>
As suited female modesty,
Prudence herein had lessond me
I promist then to be his Bride
Till death should both of us divide
My usuall course accomplisht is <460>
In only seven & twenty days
Seaven howers & minutes twenty thre
My circles whole content you se
Full nineteen years I do not linn
But then my walk again begin <465>
But not my recconing to confound
Know I do every month go round
My body soul & sprite also
I did my King appropriate to
And on a Munday was the time <470>
When I did fully promis him
To men great prowess I do add
When I into a drink am made.

9
<9r>
I'm white without & blew within
But when the fixed prize I win <475>
Then Venus cloaths me streight indeed
In scarlate & a purple weed
Which she before of Mars did get
By earnest prayr, & favour great.
If ought of Stibium you demand <480>
Sulphur will answer out of hand
And now I take my leave & go
Another may start somewhat too
But thus we may conclude at last
Th' end onely does approve what's past <485>
This still has been my constant rime
By day by night at every time
Though I fly through the Firmament
Yet all is judgd by the event.

Of the first Matter, p 39 of the Keys.

A stone is found that is not dear <490>
From which is drawn a flying fire
Of which the stone it self is made
Of white & red together laid
It is a Stone & yet no stone
Dame Nature works in it alone <495>
There springs from it a fountain clear
Which wholly drowns it's fixed sire
(His body life & all devourd)
Untill his soul be fresh restord
And's flying Mother do become <500>
His equall in his own kingdome.
<9v>
And he himself in strength & might
Have gotten much an higher flight
The sun in age doth overpass
His mother that coy flying lass <505>
Yet thus before by force of fire
And spirit was product of the Sire
Soul body & sp'rit consist in two
From whence the whole affair does flow
It comes from one & is one thing <510>
The flying & fixt marrying
Thre & two & yet but one
You must conceiv't to be or none
Adam sat in a water-bath
Where Venus her own likeness hath like herself one hath <515>
By the old Dragon brought to light
When first he lost his strength & might
Tis nothing quoth Philosophy
But onely double Mercury.
I say no more since namd it is <520>
Happy is he that does not amiss.
Seek it therein & do not faint.
Deeds are approvd by their event.

At the end of the 9th key.

If th' whole worlds nature were but one
Merely by one figure shown <525>
And Art could nothing els invent
The world no wonder could present
Nor nature plainly be exprest
For which let God be ever blest.
10
<10r>

At the end of the 4th key.

Although full many Artists still <530>
At me their aim direct
Yet very few have had the skill
My true force to detect.

In the Manuall operations at the end of ch 4.

Unable's wit all times to comprehend
Each thing which Venus doth attain <535>
No man soon finds it in his brain
Vain reason it exiles & far doth send
Sure by its spirit onely all shall speed
So Mercury his office duely heed
At the end of chap 5
If me alone thou dost not know <540>
Then a meet help on me bestow
Judg then & hearken to my lore
So shalt thou find what's in my powr

At the end of the Microcosm.

Sol Lune & Mars with Jove a hunting ride, And Saturn carys all the nets this tide:
Just in the round is placed Mercury, And so is caught dame Venus's Progeny. <545>

Venus a hunting here you now do see

But if a hound should catch a hare then she
Nere will much older grow affirm I dare
Whereof Don Mercury is well aware.
For Venus once begining to grow proud <550>
Makes many hares grow monstrous fierce & word
Wherefore o Mars draw out thy killing sword
That thy much loved Venus be not whoor'd
<10v>

The above mentioned nigma.

Five books alone of God's indighting V
Moses the surch left us in writing <555>
But tis by very few attended
To practise what's therein commanded
Thre Patriarch's all both deaf & dumb VITR
Comprise it in one onely sum
One witness too loudly proclaims I <560>
Who's good for nought is voyd of brains
Fifty is more then five in tale LV
And yet they'r onely twice in all
Howere the end a thousand close h M
Hee's mighty wealthy this who knows. <565>
Five things in life do this declare VIIOV
And five in death were also there VTRLM
The sentence is pronounct by four VI-TRI-O-LVM
One makes the garland & no more O