THE AUTHOR'S EPIGRAM.

Theseus followed Pirithous beneath the dire Tartarus
    And returned his feet to the heavens with more caution:
But his unhappy companion remained, delayed by the STONE,
    Nor did he feel the strength of the Herculean hand, as he did.
The son of Aegeus Theseus himself, wandering through the windings of the Labyrinth,
    Solicits your thread, Ariadne, as a Guide:
By whose help he escaped the cage, free of danger,
    And retraced the deceptive path back to his homeland.
If you, who have chanced to enter into chymical labors,
    Follow this leader, and not Pirithous.
I scarcely promise you the help of Hercules, but from me,
    If you are a Theseus, this Ariadne is given.
From then on, follow your own path in your uncertain steps,
    Seek, and once the path is found, you will be free.
Let reason first mark the way, which Experience will soon
    Teach you, along with the continuous labor of the hands.
Take care to observe the cradles of sacred Nature,
    And the written page will not deceive you with doubtful snares.