Bodleian Library MS. Ash. Rolls 52, George Ripley's alchemical roll, 16th century or 17th century
"The Red Sea, the Red Moon, the Red Sun" "Now let the body and soul be bound together in the Elixir" "On the ground, there lies a body, Which is base and black to behold. It is the foul Toad, heavy with poison, Which dwells in the hellish lake. Yet from that poison, a medicine is made, One that is perfect and of great fame. For it is a fire and burning venom With which the Dragon is forced to be tamed. He who can make the Raven white And free the foul Toad from poison May command the world at will, And alchemy shall be his art. Then he shall see perfection, A true transformation of the Red Sea, And he shall gain the knowledge To uncover all secret things. For he must both purge and burn, Burning both the black and the white, Until the Dragon is tamed and slain, And all is turned into red light. Thus, he who perfects all things And makes them of one nature Shall find the Red Lion And bring it into the Elixir."