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there dwelt an honest man； and some…what rich； who was called Puccio
di Rinieri； and who addicted all his paines and endeavours to Alchimy：
wherefore； he kept no other family； but onely a widdowed daughter； and
a servant； and because he had no other Art or exercise； he used
often to frequent the market place。 And in regard he was but a weake
witted man and a gourmand or grosse feeder； his language was the
more harsh and rude； like to our common Porters or sottish men； and
his carriage also absurd； boore…like； and clownish。 His daughter；
being named Monna Isabetta； aged not above eight and twenty； or thirty
yeeres； was a fresh indifferent faire； plumpe； round woman； cherry
cheekt； like a Queene…Apple； and； to please her Father； fed not so
sparingly； as otherwise she would have done； but when she communed
or jested with any body； she would talke of nothing； but onely
concerning the great vertue in Alchimy； extolling it above all other
Arts。
Much about this season of the yeare； there returned a young Scholler
from Paris； named Felice； faire of complexion； comely of person；
ingeniously witted and skilfully learned； who （soone after） grew
into familiarity； with Puccio： now because he could resolve him in
many doubts； depending on his profession of Alchimy； （himselfe
having onely practise； but no great learning） he used many questions
to him； shewed him very especiall matters of secrecy； entertaining him
often to dinners and suppers； whensoever he pleased to come and
converse with him； and his daughter likewise； perceiving with what
favour her Father respected him； became the more familiar with him；
allowing him good regard and reverence。
The young man continuing his resort to the House of Puccio； and
observing the widdow to be faire； fresh； and prettily formall； he
began to consider with himselfe； what those things might be； wherein
she was most wanting； and （if he could） to save anothers labour；
supply them by his best endeavours。 Thus not alwayes carrying his eyes
before him； but using many backe and circumspect regards； he proceeded
so farre in his wylie apprehensions； that （by a few sparkes close kept
together） he kindled part of the same fire in her； which began to
flame apparantly in him。 And hee very wittily observing the same； as
occasion first smiled on him； and allowed him favourable
opportunity； so did hee impart his intention to her。
Now albeit he found her plyant enough； to gaine physicke for her
owne griefe； as soone as his； yet the meanes and manner were （as
yet） quite out of all apprehension。 For shee in no other part of the
World； would trust her selfe in the young mans company； but onely in
her Fathers house； and that was a place out of all possibility；
because Puccio （by a long continued custome） used to watch
well…neere all the night； as commonly he did； each night after
other； never stirring foorth of the roomes； which much abated the edge
of the young mans appetite。 After infinite intricate revolvings；
wheeling about his busied braine； he thought it not altogether an
Herculian taske； to enjoy his happinesse in the house； and without any
suspition； albeit Puccio kept still within doores； and watched as
hee was wont to doe。
Upon a day as he sate in familiar conference with Puccio； he began
to speake unto him in this manner； I have many times noted； kinde
friend Puccio； that all thy desire and endeavour is； by what meanes
thou mayst become very rich； wherein （me thinkes） thou takest too wide
a course； when there is a much neerer and shorter way； which Mighell
Scotus； and other his associates； very diligently observed and
followed； yet were never willing to instruct other men therein；
whereby the mysterie might bee drowned in oblivion； and prosecuted
by none but onely great Lords； that are able to undergoe it。 But
because thou art mine especiall friend； and I have received from
thee infinite kind favours； whereas I never intended； that any man （by
me） should be acquainted with so rare a secret； if thou wilt imitate
the course as I shall shew thee； I purpose to teach it thee in full
perfection。 Puccio being very earnestly desirous to understand the
speediest way to so singular a mysterie； first began to entreat him
（with no meane instance） to acquaint him with the rules of so rich a
Science； and afterward sware unto him； never to disclose it to any
person； except hee gave his consent thereto； affirming beside； that it
was a rarity； not easie to bee comprehended by very apprehensive
judgements。 Well （quoth Felice） seeing thou has： made me such a
sound and solemne promise； I will make it knowne unto thee。
Know then friend Puccio； the Philosophers do hold； that such as
covet to become rich indeed； must understand how to make the Stone： as
I will tell thee how； but marke the manner very heedfully。 I do not
say； that after the Stone is obtained； thou shalt bee even as rich
as now thou art； but thou shalt plainly perceive； that the very
grosest substances； which hitherto thou hast seene； all of them shalbe
made pure golde： and such as afterward thou makest； shall be more
certaine； then to go or come with Aqua fortis； as now they do。 Most
expedient is it therefore； that when a man will go diligently about
this businesse； and purposeth to prosecute such a singular labour；
which will and must continue for the space of 40 nights； he must
give very carefull attendance； wholly abstaining from sleepe；
slumbering； or so much as nodding all that while。
Moreover； in some apt and convenient place of thy house； there
must be a forge or furnace erected； framed in decent and formall
fashion； and neere it a large table placed； ordered in such sort； as
standing upright on feete； and leaning the reines of thy backe against
it； thou must stande stedfastly in that manner every night； without
the least motion or stirring； untill the breake of day appeareth；
and thine eyes still uppon the Furnace fixed； to keepe ever in memory；
the true order which I have prescribed。 So soone as the morning is
seene； thou mayest （if thou wilt） walke； or rest a little upon thy
bed； and afterward go about thy businesse； if thou have any。 Then go
to dinner； attending readily till the evenings approch； preparing such
things as I will readily set thee downe in writing； without which
there is not any thing to bee done； and then returne to the same taske
againe； not varying a jot from the course directed。 Before the time be
fully expired； thou shalt perceive many apparant signes； that the
stone is still in absolute forwardnesse； but it will bee utterly
lost if thou fayle in the least of all the observances。 And when the
experience hath crowned thy labour； thou art sure to have the
Philosophers stone； and thereby shalt be able to enrich all； and worke
wonders beside。
Puccio instantly replyed。 Now trust me Sir； there is no great
difficultie in this labour； neither doth it require any
extraordinary length of time： but it may very easily be followed and
performed； and （by your friendly favor； in helping to direct the
Furnace and Table； according as you imagine most convenient） on Sunday
at night next； I will begin my taske。
The place which Puccio had chosen； for his hopefull attaining to
the Philosophers Stone； was close to the Chamber where his daughter
lay having no other separation or division； but an old ruinous
tottring wall。 So that； when the Scholler was playing his prize；
Puccio heard an unwonted noise in the house； which he had never
observed before； neither knew the wall to have any such motion：
wherefore； not daring to stirre from his standing； least all should be
marrd in the very beginning； he called to his daughter； demanding；
what busle labour she was about？ The widdow； being much addicted to
frumping according as questions were demanded of her； and （perhaps）
forgetting who spake to her； pleasantly replied： Whoop Sir； where
are we now？ Are the Spirits of Alchimy walking in the house； that we
cannot lye quietly in our beds？
Pucclo mervalling at this answere； knowing she never gave him the
like before； demanded againe； what she did？ The subtle wench；
remembring that she had not answered as became her； said： Pardon mee
Father； my wits were not mine owne； when you demanded such a sodaine
question； and I have heard you say an hundred times； that when folke
go supperles to bed； either they walke in their sleepe； or being
awake； talke very idely； as （no doubt） you have discern'd by me。 Nay
daughter （quoth he） it may be； that I was in a waking dreame； and
thought I heard the olde wall totter： but I see I was deceived； for no
it is quiet and still enough。 Talke no more good Father； saide she；
least you stirre from your place； and hinder your labour： take no care
for mee； I am able enough to have care of my selfe。
To prevent any more of these nightly disturbances； they went to
lodge in another part of the house； where they continued out the
time of Puccioes paines； with equall contentment to them both； which
made her divers times say to Felice： You teach my father the cheefe
grounds of Alchimy； while we helpe to waste away his treasure。 Thus
the Scholler being but poore； yet well forwarded in Learning； made use
of Pucc