se revelations, which I
was to note down for the benefit of mankind, and the establishing of a
new dispensation upon the earth. None but good angels could enter into
this glass, and they would teach me, as he then foretold, many things,
whereby, gaining great honour and renown, kings and princes should be
reproved of me, who was raised up for their sakes. At this revelation I
was exceeding glad, and more so on finding the day following in my study
this precious gem, which, as I once told the Emperor Rodolph, is of such
value that no earthly kingdom is worthy to be 'compared to the virtue or
dignity thereof. I well remember the time," said Dee, delighting to
dwell on these recollections: "I was at Prague, the emperor having sent
for me; I went up to the castle, where, in the _Ritterstove_, or guard
chamber, I stayed a little; Octavius Spinola, that was the chamberlain,
saluted me very courteously, having understood that I was he whom the
emperor waited for. Returning to the privy-chamber, he came out again,
leading me by the skirt through the dining-chamber and the
privy-chamber, where the emperor sat at a table with a great chest and
standish of silver, and my book and letters before him. Then craved I
pardon, at his Majesty's hand, for my boldness in sending him my '_Monas
Hieroglyphica_,' dedicated to his father; but I did it of the sincere
and entire good-will that I bare to his father Maximilian, and also unto
his Majesty. He then thanked me very kindly, saying that he knew of my
great endowments, and the esteem I had gotten of the learned; of this he
had been informed by the Spanish ambassador. He said my book was rather
too hard for his capacity; but he heard I had something to say to him,
_Quod esset pro sua utilitate_. 'And so I have,' I replied, looking back
to see first that we were alone. Hereupon, I began to declare how all
my lifetime had been spent in learning, and with great pains and cost I
had come to the best knowledge that man might attain to in this world. I
had found, too, that no man living, neither any book, was able to teach
me those truths that I desired and longed for. Therefore I concluded
within myself to make intercession and prayer to the Giver of all wisdom
to send unto me knowledge, whereby I might know the nature of His
creatures, and also enjoy means to use them to His honour and glory. At
length it pleased God to send me His light--the angel Uriel, whereby I
was assured of His merciful a