The Magistry
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The Magistry
Through want of Skill and Reasons light
Men stumble at Noone day;
Whilst buisily our Stone they seeke,
That lyeth in the way.
Who thus do seeke they know not what
IsÆt likely they should finde?
Or hitt the Marke whereat they ayme
Better then can the Blinde?
No, Hermes Sonns for Wisdome aske
Your footesteps sheeÆle direct:
SheeÆle Natures way and secret Cave
And Tree of lyfe detect.
Sun and Moone in Hermes Vessell
Learne how the Collours shew,
The nature of the Elements,
And how the Daisies grow.
Greate Python how Appollo flew,
Cadmus his hollow-Oake:
His new raisÆd army, and Iason how
The Fiery Steeres did yoke.
The Eagle which aloft doth fly
See that thou bring to ground;
And give unto the Snake some wings,
Which in the Earth is found.
Then in one Roome sure binde them both,
To fight till they be dead;
And that a Prince of Kingdomes three
Of both them shalbe bred,
Which from the Cradle to his Crowne,
Is fed with his owne blood;
And though to some it seemeth strange,
He hath no other Foode.
Into his Virgin-Mothers wombe,
Againe he enter must;
Soe shall the King by his new-byrth,
Be ten times stronger just.
And able is his foes to foile,
The dead he will revive:
Oh happy man that understands
This Medicen to atchive!
Hoc opus exigium nobis fert ire per altum.
December, 1633.