Doğa Felsefesinin Özeti: Yazarın Önsözü

The Preface of the Author. Goe forth little Booke in volume but small, Yet hast thou in thee that is not in them All, For satisfying the mindes of the Students in this Arte, Then art thou worth as many Bookes, as will lye in a Cart: Glad may he be that hath thee in his keeping, For he may find through diligent seeking, All things in thee which shall be necessary, As Vessells and Instruments belonging to Alchimy; Which would set many a Mans heart on fire, To have the same knowledge they have so great desire. And no mervaile though they be glad and faine, For they have spent many a pound in vaine; In making of Vessells of many divers sorts, And have brought them out of many strange Ports: Because they did not well understand, That all things we need we have in England. Now think you that this will not save many a Marke, Unto those that have wrestled so long in our Warke? Yes some would spend all the Money in their pouch, If they knew but this or halfe so much. Wherefore of pitty I will no longer refraine, But declare all things their purpose to attaine. Wherefore if you do happen on my Booke, Either by Casualty, Hooke, or by Crooke: Yet pray for my Soule when I am dead and rotten, That of Alchimy Scyence the dore hath let open; Sufficient for thee if thou have any Braine, Now sharpen thy wits that thou maist it attaine.