“Sir,” quoth he to the priest, “let your man gon For quicksilver, that we it had anon; And let him bringen ounces two or three; And when he comes, as fastë shall ye see A wondrous thing, which ye saw ne’er ere this.” “Sir,” quoth the priest, “it shall be done, y-wis.” 4792 He bade his servant fetchë him this thing, And he all ready was at his biddíng, And went him forth, and came anon again With this quicksilver, shortly for to sayn; And took these ounces three to the canoún; And he them laidë well and fair adown, And bade the servant coalës for to bring, That he anon might go to his workíng. The coalës right anon weren y-fet, 4793 And this canón y-took a crossëlet 4794 Out of his bosom, and shew’d to the priest. “This instrument,” quoth he, “which that thou seest, Take in thine hand, and put thyself therein Of this quicksilver an ounce, and here begin, In the name of Christ, to wax a philosópher.