Page:Three Books of Occult Philosophy (De Occulta Philosophia) (1651).djvu/581

To the Reverend Father, and Doctor of Divinity Aurelius de Aquapendente, Austin Fryar; Henry Cornelius Agrippa sendeth greeting. By those letters (most reverend Father!) which you sent me since the second of this month, I understand your candidness towards me, and great learning, and indeed the curious searching after these things which lye hid in darkness; I did presently rejoyce, and do bless my self that I have entred into acquaintance with such a friend, with whom I may improve my gifts; And now (this hand-writing being my witness) I reckon you amongst the cheifest of my friends. But oh, who are your leaders that you follow, daring to enter into the house of Dedalus, from whence is no return, and of most dreadfull Minois, and daring to go through the watches, and commit your self to the sisters of destiny? Who are your masters that you are conversant about such huge things, daring to attempt to make a wandring diety, stable, perfidious, faithful; and the most fugatious of all the gods to be more constant then Adrastia; Take heed that you be not deceived by them that are deceived. Neither can the great reading of books direct you here, since they are but as riddles. How great writings are there made of the irresistible power of the Magical Art, of the prodigious Images of Astrologers, of the monstrous transmutations of Alchymists, of that blessed stone, by which, Mydas like, all metals that were