Ancient Scrolls of the Dwemer V

is a book that appears in.

Summary

 * Location: Bookshelves
 * Author: Marobar Sul

Content
Ancient Scrolls of the Dwemer V

The Song of the Alchemists

By Marobar Sul

When King Maraneon's alchemist had to leave his station

After a laboratory experiment that yielded detonation

The word went out that the king did want

A new savantservant [sic]

To mix his potions and brews

But he declared he would only choose

A fellow who knew the tricks and the tools

The King refused to hire on more fools.

After much deliberation, discussions, and debates,

The King picked two well-learned candidates.

Ianthippus Minthurk and Umphatic Faer,

An ambitious pair,

Vied to prove which one was the best.

Said the King, "There will be a test."

They went to a large chamber with herbs, gems, tomes

Pots, measuring cups, all under high crystalline domes.

"Make me a tonic that will make me invisible,"

Laughed the king in a tone some would call risible.

So Umphatic Faer and Ianthippus Mintburk

Began to work,

Mincing herbs, mashing metal, refining strange oils,

Cautiously setting their cauldrons to burbling boils,

Each on his own, sending mixing bowls mixing,

Sometimes peeking to see what each other was fixing.

After they had worked for nearly three-quarters of an hour,

Both Ianthippus Minthurk and Umphatic Faer

Winked at the other, certain he won.

Said King Maraneon,

"Now you must taste the potions you've wrought,

Take a spoon and sample it right from your pot."

Minthurk vanished as his lips touched his brew

But Faer tasted his and remain apparent in view.

"You think you mixed silver, blue diamonds, and yellow grass!"

The King laughed, "Look up, Faer, up to the ceiling glass.

The light falling makes the ingredients you choose

Quite different hues."

"What do you get," asked the floating voice, bold,

"Of a potion of red diamond, blue grass, and gold ?"

"By [Dwemer God]," said Faer, his face in a wince,

"I've made a potion to fortify my own intelligence."