The Mirror of Alchimy — A Closer Reading

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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._

LONDON Printed for Richard Oliue. 1597.

_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_.

_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.

_Of the naturall principles, and procreation of Minerals._

Secondly, I will perfectly declare the naturall principles & procreations of Minerals: where first it is to be noted, that the naturall principles in the mynes, are _Argent-uiue_, and _Sulphur_. All mettals and minerals, whereof there be sundrie and diuers kinds, are begotten of these two: but I must tel you, that nature alwaies intendeth and striueth to the perfection of Gold: but many accidents comming between, change the mettalls, as it is euidently to be seene in diuers of the Philosophers bookes. For according to the puritie and impuritie of the two aforesaide principles, _Argent-uiue_, and _Sulphur_, pure, and impure mettals are ingẽdred: to wit, Gold, Siluer, Steele, Leade, Copper, and Iron: of whose nature, that is to say, puritie, and impuritie, or vncleane superfluitie and defect, giue eare to that which followeth.

_Of the nature of Golde._

Gold is a perfect body, engendred of _Argent-uiue_ pure, fixed, cleare, red, and of _Sulphur_ cleane, fixed, red, not burning, and it wanteth nothing.

_Of the nature of Siluer._

Siluer is a body, cleane, pure, and almost perfect, begotten of _Argent-uiue_, pure, almost fixed, cleare, and white, & of such a like _Sulphur_: It wanteth nothing, saue a little fixation, colour, and weight.

_Of the nature of Steele._

Steele is a body cleane, imperfect, engendred of Argent-uine pure, fixed & not fixed cleare, white outwardly, but red inwardly, and of the like Sulphur. It wanteth onely decoction or digestion.

_Of the nature of Leade._

Leade is an vncleane and imperfect bodie, engendred of Argent-uiue impure, not fixed, earthy, drossie, somewhat white outwardly, and red inwardly, and of such a Sulphur in part burning. It wanteth puritie, fixation, colour, and fiering.

_Of the nature of Copper._

Copper is an vncleane and imperfect bodie, engendred of Argent-uiue, impure, not fixed, earthy, burning, red not cleare, and of the like Sulphur. It wanteth purity, fixation, and weight: and hath too much of an impure colour, and earthinesse not burning.

_Of the nature of Iron._

Iron is an vnclean and imperfect body, engendred of Argent-uiue impure, too much fixed, earthy, burning, white and red not cleare, and of the like Sulphur: It wanteth fusion, puritie, and weight: It hath too much fixed vncleane Sulphur, and burning earthinesse. That which hath bene spoken, euerie Alchimist must diligently obserue.

_Out of what things the matter of_ Elixir _must be more nearly extracted_.