156 The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony. 



But you who are true disciples of 

 this Art, strive to penetrate to its centre ; 

 be not content to linger on the surface. 

 Pursue your object as the hunter pursues 

 the quarry, and take care that you do 

 not catch a hind for a buck, or a fox for 

 a hare. Cast your nets well, and you 

 will enclose a great multitude of fishes ; 

 lay your traps discreetly, and the birds 

 will not escape. Let the fowler place 

 his snares with due regard to the wind ; 

 let the mariner, who is driven hither and 

 thither by the tempestuous heavings of 

 the vast ocean, look well to his compass, 

 and then his ship will surely return with 

 a rich cargo of merchandise. 



But why do I waste my time, like 

 those empty-headed boasters, in treading 

 out straw ? Nay, but I am not threshing 

 empty straw, for there is not a single 

 word in my books that is without its 

 significance and utility. 



Now I will fall back one step, like 

 the gladiators, and introduce a new sub- 

 ject, viz., the way in which Antimony 

 should be prepared for the treatment of 



