CHAPTER III. 



GOLD ALLEY. 



They speken faste of thilke stone, 



But how to make it now wot none, 



After the true experience. 



And nathelcss great diligence 



They setten up thilke dede, 



And spillen more than thei spede. 



For alway thei fynden a lette 



Which bringeth in poverte and dette 



To him that riche were tofore 



The losse is had, the lucre is lore. 



To gette a pound thei spenden fyve 



I know not how such a craft shal thryve. 



Gower, Confessio Amantis. 



ARD by the cloisters of St. George's Church in the 

 Hradschin quarter of Prague, ran a narrow steep 

 street, no wider than an alley of a modern town 

 and not half so clean, lined with small insignificant 

 houses, which were occupied largely by the alchemists and 

 occultists who were attracted from near and far by the pre- 

 dilections and liberality of the marvel-loving Emperor. .JThis 

 short street was known as "Gold Alley," a name lhat it 

 retained for centuries ; here lived, at the time of Dee's visit, 

 Daniel Prandtner, an alchemist of doubtful reputation ; Chris- 

 topher von Hirschberg, whose well-filled purse seemed to im- 

 ply success in transmutation, or perhaps in swindling an 

 opulent patron ; a certain Magister Jeremias, learned in phar- 



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