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THE
Mirror of Alchimy,
Composed by the thrice-famous and learned
Fryer, _Roger Bachon_, sometimes fellow of
_Martin_ Colledge: and afterwards of
_Brasen-nose_ Colledge in
_Oxenforde_.
Also a most excellent and learned discourse of
_the admirable force and efficacie of_ Art _and_ Nature,
_written by the same Author_.
With certaine other worthie Treatises of
the like Argument.
_Vino vendibili non opus est hedera._
[Illustration: Publisher’s device ]
LONDON
Printed for Richard Oliue.
1597.
[Illustration: Decoration]
The Preface.
_In times past the Philosophers spake afters diuers and sundrie manners
throughout their writings, sith that as it were in a riddle and cloudie
voyce, they haue left vnto vs a certaine most excellent and noble
science, but altogither obscure, and without all hope vtterly denied,
and that not without good cause. Wherefore I would aduise thee, that
aboue all other bookes, thou shouldest firmly fixe thy mind vpon these
seuen Chapters, conteining in them the transmutation of mettalls, and
often call to minde the beginning, middle, and end of the same, wherein
thou shalt finde such subtilitie, that thy minde shalbe fully contented
therewith._
The Mirrour of Alchimy,
composed by the famous Fryer,
_Roger Bachon_, sometime fellow of
_Martin_ Colledge, and _Brasen-nose
Colledge in
Oxenforde_.
CHAP. I.
_Of the Definitions of Alchimy._
In many ancient Bookes there are found many definitions of this Art,
the intentions wherof we must consider in this Chapter. For _Hermes_
saith of this Science: _Alchimy_ is a Corporal Science simply composed
of one and by one, naturally conioyning things more precious, knowledge
and effect, and conuerting them by a naturall commixtion into a better
kind. A certain other saith: _Alchimy_ is a Science, teaching how to
transforme any kind of mettall into another: and that by a proper
medicine, as it appeareth by many Philosophers Bookes. _Alchimy_
therfore is a science teaching how to make and compound a certaine
medicine, which is called _Elixir_, the which when it is cast vpon
mettals or imperfect bodies, doth fully perfect them in the verie
proiection.