The

Torch
of
Natural
Philosophy
and of
its effects
in the form of
the explication of a
vision
or
occult reverie
by
P.N.R.T.
also known as
the Owl
or
Screech Owl
1!"
#n less than $ words mi%ht
the entire operation of the
stone be wholly and entirely
expressed.
The troubles of this period are the
cause wherefore the sa%e
philosophers do hide themselves
away.
&OR'(OR)
well wot that the %reater part of those who
examine this my little book* which mi%ht best be
termed an abrid%ement or di%est of the richest
secrets and works of nature shall not fail to say that in
truth +twas writ of a pleasure* and by way of
divertissement* inasmuch as several amon% them do
vaunt themselves that they posses the knowled%e* and
the true secret of this universal medicine* but of which
until now they have seen no effect* bein% unable like
unto many another* to believe nor ima%ine that such be
within the power of men* to at least permit them to
palpably touch the truth of the sub,ect and of its
operations* the which would take up too much time*
findin% few there think even to fall in with such
resolution* for this science be not had but by study*
labour and hard work* many lon% years havin% passed
before one ac-uireth perfect knowled%e* albeit from
the first # had in possession the true and only materia*
knowled%e of the principal operation* %reat intelli%ence
and facility in the readin% of the books by the best
authors of this science. +Tis why for my own part* #
prefer much to leave them to their opinion* for this
secret is so noble it mi%ht find expression entire in less
than sixty words.
#
+Twould be to me an easy matter to show to
you how nature operateth in all thin%s* to brin% to li%ht
her effects* and to create a shortcut of that which the
best authors alle%e the most lovely thin% of all.
.ut knowin% this to be but useless prolixity* for
they have spoken of this science most sa%ely and
clearly that none need doubt of it* have they not their
eyes stopped up* # shall content myself with executin%
the plan # have undertaken* an it be not too hardy
amidst the perturbations of this time* and to declare the
most succinctly that # may* without obscuration of vain
discourse/ the which tend more to veil this science*
than brin% it to the li%ht of day* for the desire # have
that curious minds may draw from it and take some
profit.
Nonetheless
shall #* by way of
warnin%* say in passin%
that as those thin%s that
are most beauteous and
rare are commonly
most facile in their
operations* and that often those very minds that
consider themselves subtle* wish to make dear and
carry of some thin% of their own invention* it is often
the case that the err from the path and are frustrated in
their hopes* as are those who rather than employ their
studies to the knowled%e of the effects of thin%s both
solid and permanent rest content with distractin% them
in search of a few simples* which from one day to the
next may lose their virtues and -ualities.
.y way of conclusion* thinkin% to lay bare and
disclosed to their view all that depends on the 0rt* #
wish* in the form of a discourse* simple enou%h that
those who have the sli%htest knowled%e of these thin%s
mi%ht understand* to frame to them a succinct word or
two as to the true materia and its operation/ my
intention bein% not to turn them from the direct path*
but to lead them thereupon as best # mi%ht* that*
carryin% off the pri1e of the fleece they come to owe to
me a certain obli%ation.
The true materia is extracted from
the metallic root ordered fro the
%eneration of metals
Preparation of the materia.
Reduction to water or solution.
That is to say* air.
0 S2330R4 O& T5'
P5#6OSOP5#706 (OR8
t would be best at first* and before to commence
some other thin%* that # do reason pertinently as to
that which we seek and claim to do* that is to know
the materia and principle the which riseth from the
metallic root* ordered for the %eneration of metals* for
each and every thin% be it ve%etable or mineral* hath its
seed the which mi%ht multiply.
#
Worms seek out the earth,
Fish water, birds the air,
Bees the flowr that to sweetest honey
doth give birth,
And Art natures treasure richest and most
fair
Which is to say the medicine universal
which they seek.
If curious minds to such a point would
reach
et them then to natures highway straitly
keep.
One taketh first a metal pure and clean* the
spirit of which liveth secretly in the bowels of the earth*
which freed from its bonds by the work of he who
knowest how* strive to mount to the mountain peak*
and as much as was this metal hard* is it rendered soft
by 0rt in imitation of nature.
This mischievous element of our fecund sea is
torch9bearer of this %olden fleece* +tis he who holds the
key to this rich treasure trove for lack of which not a
few have stumbled in the waves. 0 mercury* fermentin%
freely of itself* of another mercury* a sulphur of another
sulphur* which draw by alembic* mix by accurate
wei%ht/ and cause to coa%ulate by heat continual which
multiplied and fermented may produce that we search.
This access spoke unto those as have %oodly ears
,oined to my )ream they shall amply deduce that which
is re-uired and necessary to the art and particularly
unto the prime operation concernin% the which but few
authors have spoken* but on the contrary* hidden* unto
their ability* and lackin% the which none may come to
this art.
The lode.
The Philosopher who instructs
That is to say by divine inspiration.
That is to say* to teach this science.
#t is thus advisable that one take
with one victuals when %oin% there.
T5'
02T5OR:S
)R'03
pon a certain day in the month of 3ay wherein
# had occupied my mind at various tasks*
desirin% distraction such as one seeketh at the
Sprin%tide* # did pass by places most delicious and
a%reeable to the si%ht* wherein havin% lon% admired
this %reat work of nature* layin% myself down upon the
%reensward* # was o:ercome by a profound sleep and
this followed by a dream.
2
.y the which it came to me that # was upon the
hei%hts of a mountain of most difficult access* whereon
a %oodly &ather hermit* a soul most learned in all
Sciences had lon% time made his abode and habitation*
and havin% approached myself to it* # did perceive this
venerable sa%e* who stepped out* who in that instant
did myself espy/ my havin% offered salutation* he
proceeded to en-uire by what route # had come hither*
it bein% well9ni%h inaccessible* sayin% that the helpful
;od had led me there* considerin% the fact that* by
cause of the dan%ers involved* ri%ht few had
approached him throu%hout many:s the lon% year*
thou%h not a few had set forth to do so.
0nd havin% answered* that all stemmed from divine
bounty* he proved most favourable toward me* and
undertakin%* and that no peril had had the power to
divert me* for the %oodly toil # had made as re%ards his
doctrine and his person.
The which laid him under obli%ation to receive
me most favourably and explain unto me manifold
sub,ects amon% the which that which had moved him to
take up that extraordinary abode* the which was no
other thin% but that same curiosity # had myself had*
where remained him only* or seven in that place and in
others circum,acent* the which despisin% all worldly
%oods and fortune had passed there lon% years* even
unto two centuries entire in health most perfect.
.ut in that # was ri%ht wearied of the distance #
had travelled* visitin% this place and assailed by an
extraordinary hun%er and thirst* and which be far more
considerin% that in that place was no way whereby
mi%ht be produced victuals* and that in this # saw no
manner whereby # mi%ht make some seemly retreat in
this extremity but would incur some measure of
dis%race* coupled with the difficulty of the rout* and
These bein% those who work the mines.
This describes the mine.
<upiter.
That is= to learn.
Philosophic mercury the which is
5ermes+ bird.
The secret and the science of the
stone.
That is to say he worked upon this
sub,ect or material.
the time # would need
to arrive at a small
hamlet which nestled at
the foot of that
mountain* inhabited by
two or three persons
and of a condition so
mercenary that they
abandoned* not only
their health* but their lives* in the labour they
performed* in that place.
# knew not to which saint # should commend
myself for the fear # had that # would there make my
cemetery* that which the %ood ancient apprised* who
spoke unto me as follows= >3y son* be without fear for
all %oodness stirs me to %ive thee all that is within my
power* and thou shalt find here that with which to
assua%e thy curiosity which did stir thee to undertake
so hi%h an enterprise* and # shall lead thee to see thin%s
worthy of %reat admiration/ which words seemed me
so sweet and a%reeable* that # thou%ht no more on
hun%er and thirst soever* so well that havin% entered in
his chambers # be%an to descry a site ri%ht darksome
and unpleasant which knew no other day but throu%h a
skyli%ht* which # espied in the midst of the vault* the
which obli%ed one to have always to hand a bri%ht
lamp* by cause of the numerous detours disposed for
entrance* within the which were to be found a -uantity
of ladders meet to that end* thus to avoid the dis%race
one mi%ht incur there. #ts furnishin% all were rude made
of thin%s metallic* which %listened to the si%ht like
small stars. The place wherein he took repose* was cut
into the rock and most impressive for a child of Saturn
had there taken birth.
5owever these thin%s* did not prevent in the
least the memory which returned to me of so %reat an
hun%er and thirst* so much so that the %ood &ather
5ermit reco%nisin% it* knelt down* makin% his prayers*
the which no sooner completed* but # espied a bird far
exceedin% all others in si1e enter at the skyli%ht*
bearin% stron% resemblance to an ea%le* which held in
its beak* that which would suffice* not only for its own
food* but more than sufficient to sustain us* which bird
he named his provider* which since his solitary so,ourn
had ever aided him for all thin%s in which he mi%ht
have need/ (hile takin% our refection* he spoke with
me of %reat matters* amon%st others the effects of
nature* whereon he said he had passed the %reater part
of his study* that in this place was the first abode of
5ermes Trisme%istus* &ather of Philosophers in whom
was the source of his most hidden secrets.
5is discourse and speech* was so divertin% that
the time hun% not on my hands* ,oined to which the
0 visit to the mine.
Saturn containin% the four elements.
The furnace* retort and recipient.
The dead head.
The %lass retort.
Soot.
?enus which maketh the colour
%reen.
Sprin% is the season in which one+s
work should start.
<upiter.
recital he made unto me
of %entleness and rarity
of the abodes of those
whom cruel death had
rapt from him whom he
re%retted ri%ht stron%*
such that the dinner
bein% over* curious to
view these* # re-uested
that he accord me that* and forthwith* he caused me to
enter* unto the first abode* in the midst of which was
descried a pillar of bron1e* wherein we re%arded a
niche whereupon was represented in sculpture* the
fi%ure of an ancient* lar%e as life* robed in black*
holdin% in his ri%ht hand a scythe* and with the other a
tablet with ebony frame* whereon was painted a corpse
upon the which were ran%ed divers vessels disposed for
to take earth in a place that seemed to me ri%ht
monstrous* and all compassed about by this sea* to
enter unto the which* there were three %reat arches
beneath which* one must needs pass* of most difficult
approach* fashioned of divers orders* it was well to
know* inasmuch as the one of these was favourable to
navi%ation* the other %reatly distancin% the voya%er
from his strai%ht road/ and the other so perilous* that
none mi%ht approach it with mishap and wreck* this sea
producin% a black sand.
#n the second abode* the day appeared ri%ht
stron% and pleasant* and there was there represented a
man robed in red* holdin% in his ri%ht hand a sword and
in the other a s-uare tablet the colour of cinnabar* upon
the which was depicted a ;olden &leece* that the ;ood
&ather 5ermit said could not be had but with %reat
pains* labour and industry/ the floor of this abode was
covered o:er of a sand swarthy in colour.
#n the third was represented the fi%ure of a
woman in relief* robed in a %own of %reen* it seemed to
me the %oddess of Sprin%* holdin% in her hand a tablet
of opal colour* whereon was depicted an
hermaphrodite/ the floor of this abode was covered
o:er with sand of a chan%in% colour.
#n the fourth was fi%ured an amphitheatre upon
the which was seated the fi%ure of a man* robed in a
lon% mantle of cloth of %old lined with ermine* holdin%
in his ri%ht hand a sceptre* above his head was a disc
filled with small suns* and at the hi%hest point of this
amphitheatre* a %reat tablet framed in burnished %old
upon the which was depicted the most beauteous
fi%ures and rich inventions of Philostrates/ the floor of
this abode was covered o+er with a sand in no wise
yellowish* but seemin% brilliant like unto flecks of %old.
6una.
7olours of the Stone* contained
within 6una
3ercurius.
Sublimations or circulations.
This are the books of the
philosophers.
The rock is the furnace* the serpents
the fixed and the volatile male and
female
The separations are brou%ht about
by the de%rees of the fire
#n the fifth
abode* and in the
principle part thereof
was represented a
throne upon the which
was seated a youn% %irl
robed in a white %own*
holdin% in her hand a
crescent* and at the
limits of this throne there was a tablet with silver frame
whereupon also was depicted a %reat fountain which
casteth two li-uors* one of white and the other of red*
within the depths of which appeared a red coloured
sand.
#n the sixth abode was a site most extraordinary
the which me seemed lit by a -uantity of torches about
which turned and whirled a concourse of moths finally
to immolate themselves* in the midst of which upon a
small pilaster was a youth robed in taffetas of chan%in%
colour* holdin% in hand a caduceus* and all about this
abode were divers tableaux framed in various colours*
upon the which were represented processions and other
fi%ures or devotions* which seemed to me to be in
imitation of those # had formerly seen at the cemetery
of the 5oly #nnocents in Paris* the which obli%ed me to
make my prayer* the more so in that this place me
seemed ri%ht devotional* but* as it seemed to the %ood
&ather 5ermit somewhat over lon% and uninterestin%*
he informed me that +twas unnecessary that # tarry
lon%er* more so inasmuch as in the final abode* he
hoped to reveal to me all that my curiosity mi%ht wish
for* and to explain to me that which # had here seen.
So curious was # to learn* albeit my spirit was far from
penetratin%* we were beside a small mountain close
enou%h to this place* the entrance unto which was a a
%ate ennobled with a multitude of precious stones and
the which* ri%ht few besides him* mi%ht open* had they
not the true key* and above which was a slate coloured
marble* whereon were writ these words.
@

0nd havin% laid open this last* we entered in unto a
comely and a%reeable abode* within which were set
divers tableaux the which he said were the creation of
0puleus* 7unrath* the 7osmopolite* Poliphilus and
others* filled with thin%s worthy of admiration* and he
made unto me ample discourse as to their si%nification.
#n the midst of this abode* was a rock whence
came forth two serpents* the one win%ed and the other
not* and upon this rock was an hermaphrodite holdin%
a %lobe which fell into four parts* the which were to
si%nify the four elements* and ,oinin% to%ether a%ain*
@
No citation follows in the ori%inal text ATranslator+s noteB
The philosopher or artist.
The planets correspond to the
metals.
rendered them confused
and mixed to%ether*
which could then a%ain
be set apart.
0bout this
abode were represented
the fi%ures # had before
seen* which were in
sculptures life9si1e* the which by their movement from
the artist and industry from the ;oodly &ather 5ermit*
seemed disposed for to dance a ballet* the which #
esteemed to be the )ance of the ;ods/ 0ttached to
this rock was a column ri%ht hi%h* about which were
en%raved in letters of %old these words C empty if that
C and below in letters of silver what follows as to the
order of the characters in the ballet.
!aturn, first in virility, shall inaugurate the
dance,
"upin follows after for to imitate his prance,
#ars, both great and bellicose, will give to it
cadence,
$he !un in duest order shall have his walk on
part,
%enus, fine robed, who from dancing cannot
keep herself apart,
$his strange #ercury would detest,
Were it not that soon after the #oon appeareth
ne&t,
'ausing th(entire ballet its movement to
possess.
0nd pausin% to read and consider these
writin%s* for that # mi%ht comprehend their sense* #
espied on the instant that the two serpents were
approachin% me* one of them shootin% forth flames of
fire* by its maw* and the other a li-uor so foul and
stinkin%* that # was constrained to -uit the place
forthwith* but the ;ood &ather 5ermit* followin% me
close for to bid me adieu* as mark of his %ood will %ave
me present of a small volume of his own composition*
from whence # have drawn and extracted all this
discourse and that which follows* and which explained
from word to word that which he had caused me to
see* and of a small container in the which he professed
was a powder beyond all price.
(ishin% to thank him for such bounty* # found
myself that very instant deprived of his company* such
that bein% in %reater difficulty than ever* in that # knew
not in which place # was* # had recourse to prayer the
which bein% %ranted* # discovered that this place was
at no far remove from
my ordinary dwellin%*
of which # was much
re,oiced. Such ,oy
however was to be of
but short duration* in
that shortly after* #
found myself invested
by several persons
layin% claim to bein%
%rand philosophers that we term in these days
souffleurs or puffers* whom # believed disposed to rapt
from me the %ift which had been %iven me* especially
inasmuch as they conversed ri%ht familiar on the whole
of natural philosophy and its operations* ar%uin% most
diversely concernin% it* who* takin% myself to be one of
their 7abal from the which # was ri%ht distanced*
havin% held ever their propositions in horror* be%%ed
me to %ive my opinion upon their ideas* from which
havin% excused myself such as was possible*
nonetheless by their importunity * ima%inin% themselves
at my discourse expert in this science* # was
constrained to speak my mind* the which obli%ed me to
make them the followin% discourse.
0lbeit the philosophers of old have well enou%h
set to writin% the admirable secret of the power of both
0rt and Nature* brin%in% to li%ht this rich &leece or
2niversal 3edicine* and that many have set about
searchin% it out* the %reater part of these have found
but little fruit* there bein% few amon% them who mi%ht
say* with truth* that they well have understood their
intentions* even less their sub,ect and operations* which
surpass the common mind* havin% been writ only for
those who have the true and perfect understandin%*
without the aid of which difficult is it to come at this
0rt.
Nonetheless that which # spoke unto them was
not by desi%n to divert them* nor their curiosity the
which # cherished most hi%hly* but to prevent the waste
of time and %oods they mi%ht there bootless consume*
reco%nisin% by their contrariness that they were ri%ht
far from the %oal of their intentions* added to which the
fact that they here undertook affairs both %reat and
difficult* without the least principle.
This discourse ended* certain %leaned the better
part of this advice* and thanked me/ others cursed me
claimin% # had removed from them all hope* re%rettin%
the %reat expense they had incurred there* and amon%
the rest and Saturnine fellow* who claimed himself a
%reat philosopher and doctor of medicine of the third
de%ree* who not content with the maledictions he had
addressed me callin% me a wily dreamer made a wish
that # fall into a dream that should prove as irritatin% to
me* if not more so* than my discourse had proved to
them* which wish no
sooner made than was
accomplished* and #
forthwith commenced
to dream.
# found myself
a%ain in land unknown*
where were mountains*
thou%h not so hi%h as those aforementioned* and
enterin% fortuitously within one of the which* it seemed
me that # did perceive its entrails bein% searched and
burrowed into* not indeed without %reat apprehension*
considerin% the depth and obscurity of the place filled
with divers paths streamin% with water in most
obnoxious a manner and difficult to hold to* had it not
been by %ood fortune* that # came across a man who
offered to serve as %uide* and armed with a %oodly
lamp and the necessary e-uipment for to penetrate such
places* which he painted to me ri%ht dan%erous* and
whose company me seemed most favourable* inasmuch
as he claimed often to the fre-uent the place* where he
showed to me who was little content of it* havin% heard
tell the peril that was in it* some persons who with
mi%hty blows of the hammer ri%ht cuttin% seemed fain
to %radually beat this mountain down* knockin% from it
chips in %reat number* the which were afterward
transported by a hole which seemed to me disposed to
,ust this end in the centre of the summit.
0nd havin% descended into this and be%%ed the
%uide to show unto me the remainder of this place* he
answered that my curiosity should be assua%ed*
inasmuch as we were now at a depth horrendous and
incredible to many* and that it was not his intention to
%o further= in which we were soon after impeded by
means of a vapour or exhalation* which havin% sadly
but started forth rendered us senseless of all and
moveless* albeit we came to our senses a%ain a little
after.
# heard then my %uide lamentin% and makin%
%reat clamour for that his lamp on fallin% had %one out*
and he beyond all hope of ever findin% or reli%htin% it*
holdin% that my too %reat curiosity would be the cause
of our loss the which was inevitable* and wishin% in
some wise to console him* albeit my terror was %reater
than his own* # con,ured that he should have recourse
to that helpful deity* who was our true %uide* prayin%
him that he come to our aid and save us from that
extremity.
There fell then upon our ears a voice* whose
words were the followin%=
)I am *e of whom ye seek aid.+
The retort distillin% into a recipient.
This is the terrestrial body.
&ire.
;raduated fire.
Retorts.
and in that instant there
appeared a luminosity
most efful%ent which #
took for the li%htnin%
bolt hurled by <upiter in
punishment of my too
%reat curiosity* by
means of which my
%uide havin% recovered
his lamp and that which
he needed which in his fallin% had fortuitously slid into
a vein of this mountain not too far distant from us* the
which was ri%ht brilliant* he be%an to strike his flint and
to reli%ht it* %ivin% thanks unto ;od* for such %ood
fortune= we made the promptest return possible* so
much so that -uit of that place and returned into safe
harbour* # made protestation never to return there
more* but fati%ued of the lon% road and the trials
endured there* we rested ourselves close by a fountain
nearby* the which was environed in all parts by a stone
clear as crystal* in the depths of which was to be seen a
%ravel most delicate* brown in colour** and it seemed
me some hot vapours* issuin% from the earth* or some
subterranean fire did cause it to distil ri%ht mildly* and
not of the order of other different fountains* at which #
was %reatly astonished* and above it was a dome9like
form which did receive certain of the vapours* which
transformed into a water most clear and bri%ht* carried
by a small channel to a site close by.
(hich fountain* my %uide informed me was of
ri%ht %reat virtue and proper to many thin%s* and
en-uirin% of him* if that water remained continually
where the channel did brin% it* he answered me no* but
that it was carried thence and cast back upon the place
from which it was taken and this reiterated by several
and divers times* and that in fine this fountain had the
power to produce and brin% to li%ht of day a seed
beyond all price* link by marvellous links* which did
accumulate all about that dome/ and the inhabitants of
the place held that it proceeded from the for%es of
?ulcan which they believed were beneath this fountain*
from whence came forth a constant fire which
administered itself now with a moderate fire in
imitation of Nature* now with a vehement heat lon%
continuin% which appeared to wish to transform the
fountain entire into fire* which itself had the power to
transform itself into a furnace* in the which appeared
several openin%s wherein were collocated several
vessels of %lass* the which endured ri%ht readily the
ri%ors of the fire* in which were various concoctions
unknown to me.
0nd wishin% to know what was within* # be%an
to smell an odour ri%ht stron%* and applyin% my ton%ue
There should be two of you to share the lon% hours of work
The solution of the stone into philosophic mercury.
The Philosophic '%%.
0shes.
The hole in the apex of the dome.
The black appears after the space of
D$ days.
5eat of the broodin% hen
The pro,ection upon 3ercury.
&ixation.
for to taste a bitter
humour which the
%uide informed me
stemmed from the heat
continual and a
5erculean labour which
caused me to deem that
the Smith ;od would
have need of faithful
company and of lon% labour to undertake the burden of
such work.
3oreover* # saw there a seed which* at first
ri%ht hard and solid* becometh humid* the which one
mi%ht freely dispose in the depths of a vessel ri%ht
narrow* that the heat penetratin% it may be carried
throu%hout* to the which be added a -uantity of the
water of that fountain the which was ri%ht scrupulously
%uarded* more so inasmuch as it oft distilled never so
well as when two vessels were ,oined mouth9to9
mouth* placin% them above an oaken hollow within a
chimneyed furnace* beneath which is set a constant and
continual fire* the which maketh appear variety of
colours which after forty days+ space* chan%e all into a
colour black and dark* followed next by white* then
further iris or rainbow* si%ht ri%ht fair to see* by cause
of the diversity of its colours. # was advised by the
%uide that the occult heat was never allowed to cease
when that the seed was in the vessel* but that* on the
contrary* with %reat labour was this continuous fire
attended* and that thus from day to day the colours
were seen* little by little* to diminish* and to dispose
themselves to take a%ain the colour white* this by
means of such heat of similar to that whereby the hen
hatcheth forth her chicks.
0nd albeit such thin%s me seemed to my si%ht
ri%ht pleasant and a%reeable* they mi%ht well have
become an ennui to me* by cause of the lon% space of
time # had passed in re%ardin% them* the which was
approachin% now a year* had it not been that havin%
seen that whiteness start to appear* # became curious as
to the end* the which havin% come* it brou%ht me forth
a powder of the most extraordinary white= and
breakin% this vessel for to ascertain if it be not a colour
fei%ned* # reco%nised that no* the truth my %oodly
&ather 5ermit had told* and carefully takin% the which*
# made present of a small part of it unto the %od
3ercury who received it ri%ht willin%ly* and who*
enraptured of its pleasant smell* did strai%htway start to
taste of it after Astran%e happenstanceEB havin% first
expelled from his body divers vapours* and disposed as
he was assumed a nature so heavy and solid that he
could no lon%er stir* as had he done theretofore* of
which he was %reatly indi%nant protestin% he would
ven%e himself on me the dis%race he had received of
this so %rievous present.
That is* to push it to redness.
One maintains the heat of the white
for to pass to the red.
3ultiplication by Philosophical
3ercury.
One draws but little powder.
0nd
commencin% to sink
into the %reat noise he
made* that # mi%ht flee*
in the face of his wrath*
# was restrained from
this by that %uide* who
told me # should not
fear him for he was
ri%ht well stopped and
could no lon%er move as he had heretofore* and that #
was in error extreme* for that # had so soon taken out
this powder* in view of the fact that he had wished to
show me a thin% more excellent by far* and that it were
necessary to leave it in place from whence it had been
taken* and by means of fire* to lead it to the colour of a
red most perfect* takin% care to maintain the heat
applied there unto continually* without diminution/ but
on the contrary to continuously au%ment it with
discretion and in such manner that the hand mi%ht
easily suffer it* and that then should witness this
whiteness take the colour of saffron the which would
chan%e into divers other hues concludin% with the
colour red like unto hyacinth* and finally of a
permanent purplish ruby* then titled 'lixir* and served
for divers thin%s* the which he would not express* were
it not that it kept all persons in perfect health
throu%hout lon% years* were one from time to time to
take a %rain+s worth in wei%ht in a little wine or other
li-uor.
That # should* furthermore* bear in mind* that
,ust as # had seen the entrails of the earth moistened by
a water tricklin% throu%h this mountain* similarly did
this seed seek to be moistened of the water of that
fountain when it were known that it needed this* and
that* # complained that the time # had passed at this
work* had produced for me but a ne%li%ible -uantity of
this 'lixir* my %uide informed me it could be easily
au%mented at will* by means of the first water of that
fountain* and of a sort most common havin% only to
refresh it divers times* that the fire was conductor of
this workin% the which was achieved in but little time.
0nd finishin% his discourse* commendin% me to
;od* in voice thunderous* # be%an to arise from my
reverie and the profound sleep in which # was held*
such that smilin% to myself of so pleasant a dream and
openin% my eyes* it seemed to me # was in a new
world* and that the premises of my dwellin% were
painted and enriched in %old and silver* and so %reatly
satisfied of that # remembered havin% witnessed in
dream reverie* # resolved to visit my friends and
companions and spend the rest of my days with them*
unto whom when # had made recitation of what had
passed* obli%ed me to compose this little discourse to
share it with dreamers and visionaries such as myself*
and to such as would
set themselves to
explicate so %entle a
vision brin%
contentment of mind
and draw from it such
fruit as they desire
their most humble
servant