La. But the other, as the wiser of the two, proceeds.  You will forgive this my Importunity, when you shall know the Cause of my coming to you.  Tell me then, says Balbinus, but in as few Words as you can.  I will, says he, as briefly as I am able.  You know, most learned of Men, that the Fates of Mortals are various; and I can’t tell among which I should class myself, whether among the happy or the miserable; for when I contemplate my Fate on one Part, I account myself most happy, but if on the other Part, I am one of the most miserable. Balbinus pressing him to contract his Speech into a narrow Compass; I will have done immediately, most learned Balbinus, says he, and it will be the more easy for me to do it, to a Man who understands the whole Affair so well, that no Man understands it better.

Phi. You are rather drawing an Orator than an Alchymist.

La. You shall hear the Alchymist by and by.  This Happiness, says he, I have had from a Child, to have learn’d that most desirable Art, I mean Alchymy, the very Marrow of universal Philosophy.  At the very Mention of the Name Alchymy, Balbinus rais’d himself a little, that is to say, in Gesture only, and fetching a deep Sigh, bid him go forward.  Then he proceeds:  But miserable Man that I am, said he, by not falling into the right Way! Balbinus asking him what Ways those were he spoke of; Good Sir, says he, you know (for what is there, most learned Sir, that you are ignorant of?) that there are two Ways in this Art, one which is call’d the Longation, and the other which is call’d the Curtation.  But by my bad Fate, I have fallen upon Longation.  Balbinus asking him, what was the Difference of the Ways; it would be impudent in me, says he, to mention this to a Man, to whom all Things are so well known, that Nobody knows them better; therefore I humbly address myself to you, that you would take Pity on me, and vouchsafe to communicate to me that most happy Way of Curtation.  And by how much the better you understand this Art, by so much the less Labour you will be able to impart it to me:  Do not conceal so great a Gift from your poor Brother that is ready to die with Grief.  And as you assist me in this, so may Jesus Christ ever enrich you with more sublime Endowments.  He thus making no End of his Solemnity of Obtestations, Balbinus was oblig’d to confess, that he was entirely ignorant of what he meant by Longation and Curtation, and bids him explain the Meaning of those Words.  Then he began; Altho’ Sir, says he, I know I speak to a Person that is better skill’d than myself, yet since you command me I will do it:  Those that have spent their whole Life in this divine Art, change the Species of Things two Ways, the one is shorter, but more hazardous, the other is longer, but safer.  I account myself very unhappy, that I have laboured in that Way that does not suit my Genius, nor could I yet find out any Body who would