To this purpose
he got one Friar Bungey to assist him, who was a great scholar and
magician (but not to be compared to Friar Bacon); these two with great
study and pains so formed a head of brass that in the inward parts
thereof there was all things like as in a natural man's head. This being
done they were as far from perfection of the work as they were before,
for they knew not how to give those parts that they had made motion,
without which it was impossible that it should speak. Many books they
read, but yet could not find out any hope of what they sought, that at
the last they concluded to raise a spirit and to know of him that which
they could not attain by their own studies.
The spirit straight obeyed, and appeared unto them, asking what they
would. He told them that with a continual fume of the six hottest
simples it should have motion, and in one month space speak: the time of
the month: or the day he knew not. Also he told them that if they heard
it not before it had done speaking, all their labor should be lost.
Then went these two learned Friars home again and prepared the simples
ready and made the fume, and with continual watching attended when this
Brazen Head should speak.
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