The Triumphal Chariot of A ntimony. 69 



of your own ignorance. It is not enough 

 for you to read my book, and to become 

 acquainted theoretically with the prepar- 

 tion of Antimony ; you must experiment- 

 ally follow my directions, and thus gain 

 the knowledge which will teach you both 

 how to prepare and apply this medicine.* 



When you have done this, you will 

 begin to have some notion of that which 

 is now hidden from your purblind gaze. 



O wretched and pitiable medicasters, 

 who walk on the clouds, and on moun- 

 tains in the air, thinking highly of 

 yourselves in your own conceit, and yet 

 having no solid foundation for your feet, 

 take heed, I beseech you, what answer 

 you will make to God on the day of 

 judgment ! Think of the sacred duty 

 which rests upon you before it is too 

 late, and then, if you are really willing 

 to do that which is right, God will most 

 assuredly help you. But you who, in 

 your extreme folly and madness, do not 



* Here Basilius once more yields to his indignation 

 against the false Doctors ; but afterwards he gives some use- 

 ful hints embodied in remarks on aqua fortis and spirit of 

 wine. 



