V. My son, that which is bora of the crow is the beginning

of this art. See here, how I have obscured the matter spoken
of to you, by a kind of circumlocution ; and I have deprived
you of seeing the light (by giving you too much light :) and
1. This dissolved, 2. This joined, 3. This nearest and longest,
I have named to you. Roast them therefore, then boil them in
that which proceeds from the horse belly, for 7, 1-i, or 21
days; that it may eat its own wings, and kill or destroy itself.
This done, let it be put in petta panni, and in the fire of a fur-
nace, which diligently lute and take care of, that none of the
spirit may go forth: and observe, that the times of the earth are
in the water; which let be as long as you put the same up upon
it. The matter then being melted or dissolved and burnt, take
the brain thereof, and grind it in most sharp vinegar, or childrcns
urine, till it be obscured or hid: this done; it does live in pu*
^refaction. The dark clouds will be in it, before it is killed ; let

374 Alchemical Treatises.

them be converted into its own body ; and this to be reiterated
as I have described : again let it be killed as aforesaid, and then
it does live, In the life and death thereof the spirits work : for
as it is killed by taking away of the spirit; so that being restored,
it is again made alive, and rejoices therein. But coining to this,
that which ye seek by affirmation, ye shall see: I declare also to
you the signs of joy and rejoicing, even that thing which does
fix its body. Now these things our ancestors gave us only in
figures and types, how they attained to the knowledge of this
swot; 'out behold, they are dead: I have now opened the
riddle, I have demonstrated the proposition so much desired, so
ir.uch aimed at: I 'have opened the book (of secrets) to the
ski! f\il an,d learned^ yet T have also a little concealed the hidden
nv stery. I have kept the things (which ought to be put a part)
within their own bounds: I conjoined the various and divers
figures and forms (of its appearance in the operation) and I have
confederated or joined together (with them) the spirit. Receive
you tins as the gift of God.