Whatever of wisdom each had got to give,
I bind it now within this breast of mine!
Have I not toil'd thro' many a weary year,
Seeking in still, retort, and pelican,
That supreme secret of Alchemistry,
Azoth, the Alcahest, the Sophic Fire,
The Catholick and Universal Ens,
That turns an old man to his youth again.
But in those far off days, I reason'd well
One traitor from within may ope a gate,
That bade defiance to a myriad men,
Who storm it from without, and one there was,
High in the counsels of his mighty King
Aforetime, since, in exile and disgrace,
Ready to sell the secrets taught him once,
To gain another subject for himself.
So ran my reasoning when I was young,
But now I need no Fiend's assistance, years
Have taught what is the best Familiar,
Undaunted Will! to keep one end in view,
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