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When Alexander as is rehearsed here This philosopher, for virtues many-fold, Sent unto him a secret messenger, Without Excuse to come to his household; But he again for he was feeble and old, And impotent on the tother side, And unwieldy for to goon or ride. But chief cause why Alexander sent A purpose take and a fantasy To declare plainly what he meant: He wist in sooth that in Philosophy, With other secrets of Astronomy, He was expert and most could understond, This was in chief cause of the kinges sonde. Power of planets, and moving of all stars, And of every heavenly intelligence, Disposition of peace and eek of wars, And of each other strange hid science As the seven gods by their influence, Dispose the order of incantations, Or of seven metals the transmutations, With other Crafts which that be secret, Calculation and Geomancye, Deformations of Circes and Medea, Looking of faces and piromancy, On land and water craft of Geometry, Height and deepness with all experience, Therefore the king desired his presence. But for all this within himself a thing, There was a secret he kept not do disclose, Nor to publish openly to the king, Taking example by two things in a rose; First how the flower greet sweetness doth dispose, Yet in the thorn men find greet sharpness; And thus in cunning there may been a likeness. In herb and flower, in writing, word and stone, Each hath his virtue of God and of Nature, But the knowing is hid from many one, And not declared to every creature; Wherefore he cast 'tween Reason and Measure To shape a way both the king to please, Somewhat to unloose and set his heart at ease. There is of right a greet difference 'Tween a Prince's royal dignity And between Commons' rude intelligence, To whom not longeth to meddle in no degree Of cunnings that should be kept secret For to a king's famous magnificence, And to clerks which have experience, It accordeth well to search out scripture, Mysteries hid of fowls, beast, and tree, And of Angels most subtle of nature, Of mineral and fishes in the see, And of stones specially of three -- One mineral, another vegetative, Parted on four to lengthen a man's life. Of which I read, among other stones There was one was called Animal, Four Elements wrought out for the nones -- Earth, Water, and Air and in especial Joined with fire, proportion made Equal; And I dare say briefly, and not tarry, Is none such stone found in the lapidary. I read once in a philosopher, Against each sickness of value doth most cure; Al the treasure and gold in Croesus' coffer, Nor all the stones that grow by nature, Wrought by craft, or forged by picture, Lapis et non lapis stone of greatest fame, Aristotiles gave it the same name. And for I have but little read or seen, To write or meddle of so high matters, For presumption some would have disdain To be so bold or climb in my desires, To scale the ladder above the nine spheres, Or meddle of rubies that give so clear a light On holy shrines in the dark night. I was never no expert jeweler, In such matters to put myself in press With philosophers mine eyes were not clear, Neither with Plato nor with Socrates, Except the Prince Aristoteles, Of philosophers to Alexander king Wrote of this stone the marvel in working, In privy wise, like to his intents, Secrets hid close in philosophy; First departing of the four Elements, And afterward as he doth specify Every one of them for to rectify; And after this, like his opinion, Of these four make a conjunction. And in such wise perform up this stone; See in the joining there be none outrage; But the false erring hath fooled many one, And brought them after in full greet arrears, By expenses and outrageous costage; For lack of brain they were made so wood Thing to begin which they not understood. For he that list put in experience, Forbidden secrets I hold him but a fool, Like him that attempteth of willful negligence, To stand upright on a three foot stool, Or spareth a stew and fisheth a barren pool: When all is done he gets none other grace, Men will scorn him and mock his foolish face. It is no craft poor men to assay, It causeth coffers and chests to be bare, Marreth wits, and brains doth affray; Yet by writing this book doth declare, And by Reasons list not for to spare, With golden Reasons in taste most likerous, Thing per ignotum proved per ignocius. Title of this book labor philosophorum, Named also de Regimine pricipium, Of philosophers secreta seretorum, Treasure compiled omnium virtutum,, Rule directory set up in a summa As complexions in health and sickness, Dispose themselves to mourning or to gladnesse. The which book direct to the king Alexander both in war and peace, Like his request and royal commanding, Fully accomplished by Aristotiles, Feeble for Age and impotent doubtless, Whole of corage and true in his intent, To obey his bidding; this book he to him sent.
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again = wrote back other knew message also i.e. seven planets magical changes divination by fire did not want to make known planned it is not suitable knowledge Treatise on precious stones put forth myself enclosed error expenditure desires to neglects a fish pond for poor men to attempt discomfit does not desire desirous of pleasure work of the philosophers Of the rule of princes secret of all secrets of all virtues (powers) exhaustive compilation inner being
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