An oval library stamp from the Vatican Apostolic Library featuring the papal coat of arms: a triple tiara above two crossed keys.

A Treatise on the Work of

Women and the

Play of Children.

The process of the Work is that which is said to be the "work of women" original: "opus mulierum" — a common alchemical metaphor suggesting that once the initial difficult stages are passed, the process requires only gentle heat and patience, like domestic chores. and the "play of children" original: "ludus puerorum" — implying that the final stages of the transformation are as easy as a child's game..
The subtle seeker should not
stand still for long at the
beginning of the work's progress.
Indeed, these words are not
fables, nor are they worthy
of contempt. Rather, you should
pay such attention to the words
themselves that the writings of
the ancient books do not
deceive you; for they never
set down vain words,
as the philosopher Apuleius Likely referring to Pseudo-Apuleius, to whom various medieval alchemical and botanical texts were attributed.
says in his Book of Secrets.
Furthermore, the "play of children" ought to be threefold.