“Stop!” cried the king, “what proof is there of this?”

“Do you not see the effects?” replied Lorenzo.  “We have tried in our crucibles the acorn which produces the oak, and the embryo from which grows a man; from this tiny substance results a single principle, to which some force, some movement must be given.  Since there is no overruling creator, this principle must give to itself the outward forms which constitute our world—­for this phenomenon of life is the same everywhere.  Yes, for metals as for human beings, for plants as for men, life begins in an imperceptible embryo which develops itself.  A primitive principle exists; let us seize it at the point where it begins to act upon itself, where it is a unit, where it is a principle before taking definite form, a cause before being an effect; we must see it single, without form, susceptible of clothing itself with all the outward forms we shall see it take.  When we are face to face with this atomic particle, when we shall have caught its movement at the very instant of motion, then we shall know the law; thenceforth we are the masters of life, masters who can impose upon that principle the form we choose,—­with gold to win the world, and the power to make for ourselves centuries of life in which to enjoy it!  That is what my people and I are seeking.  All our strength, all our thoughts are strained in that direction; nothing distracts us from it.  One hour wasted on any other passion is a theft committed against our true grandeur.  Just as you have never found your hounds relinquishing the hunted animal or failing to be in at the death, so I have never seen one of my patient disciples diverted from this great quest by the love of woman or a selfish thought.  If an adept seeks power and wealth, the desire is instigated by our needs; he grasps treasure as a thirsty dog laps water while he swims a stream, because his crucibles are in need of a diamond to melt or an ingot of gold to reduce to powder.  To each his own work.  One seeks the secret of vegetable nature; he watches the slow life of plants; he notes the parity of motion among all the species, and the parity of their nutrition; he finds everywhere the need of sun and air and water, to fecundate and nourish them.  Another scrutinizes the blood of animals.  A third studies the laws of universal motion and its connection with celestial revolutions.  Nearly all are eager to struggle with the intractable nature of metal, for while we find many principles in other things, we find all metals like unto themselves in every particular.  Hence a common error as to our work.  Behold these patient, indefatigable athletes, ever vanquished, yet ever returning to the combat!  Humanity, sire, is behind us, as the huntsman is behind your hounds.  She cries to us:  ’Make haste! neglect nothing! sacrifice all, even a man, ye who sacrifice yourselves!  Hasten! hasten!  Beat down the arms of DEATH, mine enemy!’ Yes, sire, we are inspired by a hope