ALBUMAZAR

C Ome brave Mercurials sublimed in cheating, My deer companions, fellow-soldiers I'th watchful exercise of Thievery: Shame not at your so large profession, No more then I at deep Astrology. For in the days of old, Good morrow Thief, As welcome was received, as now Your Worship. The Spartans held it lawful, and the Arabians, So grew Arabia, Foelix; Sparta valiant. Your patron Mercury in his mysterious character, Holds all the marks of th'other wanderers, And with his subtle influence works in all, Filling their stories full of robberies. Most Trades and Callings much participate Of yours; though smoothly gilded with honest title Of Merchant, Lawyer, or such Like: the learned Only excepted; and he's therefore poor. And Homer filtch't all from and Egyptian Preestesse. The world's a Theater of theft. Great rivers Rob smaller brooks; and them the Ocean. And in this world of ours, this Microcosm: Guts from the stomach steal, and what they spare, The meseraicks filch, and lay't i'th liver: Where (least it should be found) turned to read Nectar, 'Tis by a thousand thievish veins conveyed And hid in flesh, nerves, bones, muscles and sinews, In tendons, skin and hair, so that the property Thus altered, the theft can never be discovered. Now all these pilfries couched and composed in order, Frame thee and me. Man's a quick mass of the every. Say they do so: it's done with full intention Near to restore, and that's flat robbery. Therefore go on: follow your vertu's laws Your cardinal virtue, great Necessity, Wait on her close, with all occasions. Be watchful, have as many eyes as heaven, And ears as harvest: be resolved and impudent, Believe none, trust none: for in this City (As in a fought field Crows and Carcases) No dwellers are but Cheaters and Cheateez. Why bravely spoken, Fitting such generous spirits: I'll make way To your great virtue with a deep resemblance. Of high Astrology. Harpax and Ronca List to our profit: I have new lodged a pray Hard by, that taken is so fat and rich It'll make us leave off trading, and fallen to purchase. It's a rich gentleman, as old as foolish. Th'poore remnant of whose brain that age had left him The doting love of a young girl hath dried: And which concern's us most, he gives firm credit To Necromancy and Astrology, Enter FURBO. Sending to me, as one that promise both. Pandolfo is the man. The same: but stay, yon's Furbo whose smoothest brow Shines with good news, and's visage promises Triumphs and Trophies to's. FURBO plays. Excellent! Thanks to this instrument: for in pretence Of teaching young Sulpitia, th'old men daughter, I God access to th'house, and while I waited Till she was ready, overheard Pandolfo Open his secrets to his servant: thus it's. Antonio, Pandolfo's friend, and neighbour, Before he went to Barbary, agreed To give in marriage. Furbo, this no place Fit to consider curious points of business. Come let's away, I'll hear't at large above. Ronca stay you below, and entertain him With a loud noise of my deep skill in Art. Thou knowest my Rosy modesty cannot do it. Harpax up you, and from my bedchamber, Where all things for our purposes are ready, Second each beck, and nod, and word of ours. You know my meaning. Ronca, the bunch of planets new found out Hanging at th'end of my best Perspicill, Send them to Galilaeo at Padua ; Let him bestow them where he please. But stars Lately discovered betwixt the horns of Aries, Are as a present for Pandolfo's marriage, And henceforth stiled Sidera Pandolfaea. My Almanac made for meridian And herght of Japan, giu`t east Indy company: There may they smel the price of Cloves and Pepper, Munkies and China-dishes five years ensuing; And know success o'th voyage of Magores. For in the volume of the Firmament We children of the stars read things to come, As clearly as poor mortals stories passed In Speed or Hollingshead. Deliver it safe T'a Turkey Factor, bid him with care present it From me to th'house of Ottoman. As for the Issue of th'nezt Summer's wars, Reueal't to none, keep't to thy self in secret, As Touchstone of my skill in Prophesy. Be gone. Signior Pandolfo, I pray you pardon me, Exotical dispatches of great consequence Stayed me; and casting the Nativity O'th Cham of Tartary, and a private conference With a Mercurial intelligence. You're welcome in a good hour, better minute, Best second, happiest third, fourth, fifth, and scruple. Let the twelve houses of the Horoscope Be lodged with fortitudes, and fortunates, To make you blessed in your designs Pandolfo. My Ephemeris lies, Or I foresee your errant: thus it's, thus. You had a neighbour called Antonio, A widower Like your self, whose only daughter Flaviam, you love, and he as much admired Your child Sulpitia. Is not this right? You two decreed a counter-match betwixt you, And purposed to truck daughters. Is't not so? Antonio after this match concluded, Having great sums of gold in Barbary, Desires of you before he consummate The rites of matrimony, he might go thither, For three months; but as now it's three and three Since he embarked, and is not yet returned. Now sir your business is to me, to know Whither Antonio be dead or living. I'll tell you instantly. I wander betwixt the Poles And heavenly hinges, amongst excentricals, Centers, concentrickes, circles, and epicycles, To hunt out and aspect fit for your business. And since the lamp of heaven is newly entered To Cancer, old Antonio is stark dead, Drowned in the sea stone dead: for radius directorius In the sixth house; and waning moon by Capricorn, He's dead, he's dead. What ominous face, and dismal countenance Marked for disasters, hated of all the heavens, Is this that follows you? Horror and darkness, death and gallows, I de swear wertenberg hanged, stoodst thou but two foot higher, But now thy stars threaten a nearer death. Sir, send to toale his knell. He shall be by the dint of many stabs: Only I spy a little hope of escaping Through the clouds, and foul aspects of death, Live by my courtesy, stand up and breath. The dangerous and malignant influence is passed: But thank my charity that put by the blows, The least of which threatened a dozen graves. Now learn to scoff divine Astrology, And slight her servants. Stand up man, th'hast no harm, my life for thine. I do, but henceforth laugh at Astrology And call her servants Cheaters. Now since the Moon passes from Capricorn, Through Aquarius to the watery Sign of Pisces, Antonio's drowned, and is devoured by fish. Certain. It shall, but first I'll tell you what you mean to ask me. Antonio dead that promised you his daughter, Your business is t'entreate me raise his ghost, And force it stay at home til't have performed The promise passed, and so return to rest. It's a hard thing; for de preuatione and habitum ̄ non datur regressus. Oh what a business what a master piece It's to raise up his Ghost, whose body's eaten By fish. This work desires a Planetary intelligence Of Jupiter and Solemnizing, and these great Spirits, Are proud, fantastical: It ask's much charges, T'entice them from the guiding of their Spheres To wait on mortals. Sir, spare your purse, we'll do't and easier way. The work shall cost you nothing. We have and Art is called Prastigiatory, That deals with spirits, and intelligences Of meaner office and condition, Whose service crave's small charges: with one of these I'll change some servant, or good friend of yours To perfect shape of this Antonio: So Like in face, behaviour, speech, and Actium, That all the Town shall swear Antonio lives. They're dusky marks of Saturn. It seems some stone shall fallen upon your head, Threatening a fracture of the Pericrantum. Nothing but patience. The Planet threatens so, whose prey you are. The Stars and Planets daily war together. For should they stand at truce but one half hour This wondrous Machine of the world would ruin. Who can withstand their powerful influence? Indeed the Egyptian Ptolamee the wise, Pronounced it as and Oracle of truth; Sapiens dominabitur astris. Who's above there? Ronca bring down the cap Made in the point of Mercury being ascendent: Here put it on, and in your hand this Image, Framed on a Tuesday when the fierce God of war Mounted th'horizon in the sign of Aries. With these walk as unwounded as Achilles, Dip't by his mother Thetis. Next get the man you purpose to transform And meet me here. Mean while with Sciofericall instrument, By way of Azimuth and Almicantarath I'll seek some happy point in heaven for you. SIgnior Pandolfo, y'arriue in happiest hour. If the seven Planets were your nearest kindred, And all the Constellations your Allies: Were the twelve houses, and the Inns o'th' Zodiac Your own fee-simple; they could never have chosen A fitter place to favour your designs. For the great Luminaries look from Hilech, And amid of heaven in angles, coniunctions, And fortunate aspects of Trine and Sextile, Ready to pour propitious influences. Of a most happy countenance, and timber fit To square to gentry: his looks as apt for changing, As he were covered with Camaelions skins. First choose a large low room, whose door's full East, Or near inclining: for oriental quarter's Most bountiful of favours. Southward must look a wide and spacious window: For howsoever Omar, Alchabitius, Hali, Abenezra, seem something to dissent; Yet Zoroastres, son of Oromasus, Hiarcha, Brachman, Thespion Gymnesophist, Gebir, and Budda Babylonicus, With all the subtle Cabalists and Chaldees, Swear the best influence: for our metamorphosis Stoops from the South, or as some say, Southeast. Now if this light meridional had a large casement That overlooked some unfrequented alley, 'Twere much more proper: for intelligences Are nice and coy, scorning to mix their essence With thronged disturbance of cross multitudes. Now then declining from Theourgia, Artenosoria, Pharmacia, rejecting Necro-puro-geo-hydro-cheiro-coscinomancy, With other vain and superstitious sciences, We'll anchor at the Art Prestigiatory, That represents one figure for another, With smooth deceit abusing eyes of mortals. And since the Moon's the only Planet changing: For from the Neomenia in seven days To the Dicotima, in seven more to the Pauselinum, And in as much from Plenilunium Thorough Dicotima to Neomenia, It's she must help us in this operation. For by her various looks she intimates To understanding souls, that only she Hath power t'effect a true formation. Cause then your parler to be swept carefully, Washed, rubbed, perfumed, hanged round from top to bottom With pure white lunary Tapestry, or needlework; But if'twere cloth of silver, 'twere much better. Spread all the floor with finest Holland sheets, And over them fair damask Tableclothes, Above all these draw me chased virgins aprons: The room, the work, and workman must be pure. And Altar in the amid, loaded with plate Of silver, Basins, Yewres, Cups, Candlesticks, Flaggons and Beakers, Salts, Chargers, Casting-bottles. 'Twere not amiss to mix some Bowls of gold, So they be massy; the better to resemble The lovely brotherhood of Solemnizing and Luna. Also some Diamonds for Jupiter. For by the whiteness and bright sparkling lustres We allure intelligences to descend. Now for the ceremonious sacrifice, Provide such creatures as the Moon delights in, Two sucking lambs, white as the Alpine snow: Yet if they have a mole or two, it'll pass. The Moon her sefe wants not her spots. White Capons, Pheasants, Pigeons: one little Blackbird Would stain and spoil the work. Get several Wines To quench the holy embers: Rhenish, Greek wine, White Muskadell, Sheery, and rich Canary, So't be not grown too yellow: for the quicker, Brisker, and older, the better for these ceremonies. The more abundance, sooner shall we finish. For it's our rule in such Like businesses, Who spares most, spends most: either this day must doo't, Or revolution of five hundred years Cannot: so fit are all the heavens to help us. Cannot you borrow from the shops? four hours Shall render all as fair as you received it. And hear you sir: If you chance meet with boxes of white Comfits, Marchpane, dry sucket, Macarouns and diet-bread, It'll help on well. I had clean forgotten, we must have Amber Greece, The grayest can be found, some dozen ounces, I'll use but half a dram: but it's our fashion T'offer a little from a greater lump. And when your man's transformed, the chain you promised. Led then with happy foot to view the chamber. The chamber's fit: provide the plate and hangings, And other necessaries: give strict order The room be cleansed, perfumed, and hanged, mean while, With Astralobe, and Meteoroscope, Il'e find the Cusp and Alfriduria, And know what Planet is in Cazimi. Fear not, I'll only call the first, good fellowship, And th'other, civil recreation. I warrant thee: sir are you well instructed In all these necessaries? Forget not clothes for th'new transformed, and robes For me to sacrifice: you know the fashion. I'll rather change five, then apparel one: For men have living souls, clothes are unanimate. Almuten Alchochoden of the stars attend you. SIgnior Pandolfo, three quarters of and hour Render's your servant perfectly transformed. The complete circle of a natural day. I mean the revolution o'th'first mover, Just twice twelve hours, in which perjod the rapt motion thieves, thieves! Rolls all the Orbs from East to Occident. Here sir: and hardly can abstain from laughing To see you vex your self in vain. Oh! were it possible By pour of Art, to check what Art hath done, Your man should never be changed: To wrong me thus With foul suspicion of flat felony? Your Plate, your cloth of silver, wine, and jewels, Linen, and all the rest, I gave to Trincalo, And for more safety, locked them in the lobby. He'll keep them carefully. But as you love your Mistress Disturb him not this half hour, least you'll have him Like to a Centaur, half Clown, half Gentleman. Suffer his foot and hand that's yet untouched, To be ennobled Like his other members. How? think you me so negligent to commit So rich a mass of treasure to open danger Of a large casement, and suspicious Alley? No sir, my sacrifice no sooner done But I wrapped all up safe, and gave it Trincalo. I could be angry, but that your sudden fear Excuses you. Fie, such a noise as this Half and hour passed, had scared intelligences, And spoiled the work, but no harm done: go walk Westward, directly Westward, one half hour: Then turn back, and take your servant turned to Antonio. And as you Like my skill perform your promise. I mean the Chain. HArpax. Furbo, and Ronca, come out, al's clear, Why here's a noble prize worth venturing for. Is not this braver then Sneak all night in danger, Picking of locks, or hooking clothes at windoes? Here's plate, and gold, and cloth, and meat and wine, All rich: and easily God. Ronca stay here about, And wait till Trincalo come forth: Then call him With a low reverence Antonio, Give him this gold with thanks, tell him he lent it Before he went to Barbary. There's a necessity in't, devise some course To get't again: if not; our gain's sufficient To bear that lose. Furbo find out Bavilona The Courtesan, let her feign her self a Gentlewoman Enamoured of Antonio, bid her invite him To banquet with her, and by all means possible Force him stay there two hours. That in that time thou mayest convey Our treasure to the Inn, and speak a boat Ready for Gravesend, and provide a supper: Where, with those precious liquours, and good meats, We'll cheer our selves; and thus well fed, and merry, Take Boat by night. First in and usher out our changeling Trincalo : Then finish up a business of great profit, Begun with a rich Merchant, that admires My skill in Alchemy. I must not lose it. You imagine so. Senses are oft deceived. As and attentive Angler Fixing his steady eyes on the swift streams Of a steep tumbling torrent, no sooner turns His sighed to land, but giddy, thinks the firm banks And constant trees, move Like the running waters: So you that thirty years have lived in Trincalo, Changed suddenly, think you're so still; but instantly These thoughts will vanish. I'de rather give you poison: for a glass By secret power of cross reflections, And optic virtue, spoils the wondrous work Of transformation, and in a moment turns you Spite of my skill, to Trincalo, as before. We read that Apuleius by a rose Changed from and Ass to Man: so by a mirror, You'll lose this noble lustre, and turn Ass. I humbly take my leave; but still remember T'auoyd the Devil and a looking glass. Newborn Antonio, I kiss your hands. HOw? not a single share of this great prize, That have deserved the whole? was't not my plot, And pains, and you mere instruments and porters? Shall I have nothing? Friends; we have kept and honest trust and faith Long time amongst us Break not that sacred league, By raising civil theft turn not your fury against your own bowels. Rob your careful Master! Are you not ashamed? Was ever man thus baited by's own whelps? Give me a slender portion for a stock To begin Trade again. After the work is finished, then—how now? What lines are these that look sanguineous? As if the Stars conjured to do you mischief? Let all the Stars Guide you with most propitious influence. Antonio's shape hath clothed his bulk and visage, Only his hands and feet, so large and callous, Require more time to supple. STand forth transformed Antonio fully mued From brown soar feathers of dull yeomanry To glorious bloom of gentry; prune your self slick, Swear boldly you're the man you represent To all that dare deny't. Have not I weaned you up from peti-larceny, Dangerous and poor? and nursed you to full strength Of safe and gainful theft? By rules of Art And principles of cheating, made you as free From taking, as you went invisible? And do ye thus requite me? this the reward For all my watchful care? Not keep your honest promise? You promised me the greatest share. Amongst our selves. Falcons that tyrannise over weaker fowl, Hold peace with their own feathers. At least restoreth'ten pound in gold I lent you. Villains, I'll be revenged, And reveal all the business to a Justice. This treachery persuade's me to turn honest. Albumazar, Trust not these Rogues; hence and revenge.