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.” 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, And this canón y-took a crossëlet 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. There be full few, which that I wouldë proffer To shewë them thus much of my sciénce; For here shall ye see by experiénce That this quicksilver I will mortify, Right in your sight anon withoutë lie, And make it as good silver, and as fine, As there is any in your purse, or mine, Or ellëswhere; and make it malleáble; And ellës holdë me false and unable Amongë folk for ever to appear. I have a powder here that cost me dear, Shall make all good, for it is cause of all My conning, which that I you shewë shall. Voidë your man, and let him be thereout; And shut the doorë, while we be about Our privity, that no man us espy, While that we work in this philosophý.” All, as he bade, fulfilled was in deed. This ilkë servant right anon out yede, And his master y-shut the door anon, And to their labour speedily they gon.
This priest, at this cursed canón’s biddíng, Upon the fire anon he set this thing, And blew the fire, and busied him full fast. And this canón into the croslet cast A powder, I know not whereof it was Y-made, either of chalk, either of glass, Or somewhat ellës, was not worth a fly, To blinden with this priest; and bade him hie The coalës for to couchen all above The croslet; “for, in token I thee love,” Quoth this canón, “thine owen handës two Shall work all thing that herë shall be do’.” “ Grand mercy ,” quoth the priest, and was full glad, And couch’d the coalës as the canon bade. And while he busy was, this fiendly wretch, This false canón (the