The tomb of Semiramis hermetically sealed which if a wise-man open (not the ambitious, covetous Cyrus) he shall find the treasures of kings, inexhaustible riches to his content / [by] H.V.D.
H. V. D.
1684
Approx. 39 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 17 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
Text Creation Partnership,
Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :
2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).
A36714
Wing D24
ESTC R5297
20508323
ocm 20508323
109423
This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of
Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal
. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
Early English books online.
(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A36714)
Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 109423)
Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 178:18)
The tomb of Semiramis hermetically sealed which if a wise-man open (not the ambitious, covetous Cyrus) he shall find the treasures of kings, inexhaustible riches to his content / [by] H.V.D.
H. V. D.
32 p.
Printed for William Cooper ...,
London :
1684.
Also appears as last part of Collectanea chymica, at reel 88:3.
Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library.
Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.
Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors.
EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.
EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).
The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.
Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.
Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.
Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.
The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.
Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).
Keying and markup guidelines are available at the
Text Creation Partnership web site
.
eng
Alchemy.
Medicine, Magic, mystic, and spagiric.
2008-01 TCP
Assigned for keying and markup
2008-05 SPi Global
Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
2008-06 John Pas
Sampled and proofread
2008-06 John Pas
Text and markup reviewed and edited
2008-09 pfs
Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
THE
TOMB
OF
SEMIRAMIS
Hermetically
Sealed
,
Which
if
a
Wise-man
open
(
not
the
Ambitious
Covetous
Cyrus
)
he
shall
find
the
Treasures
of
Kings
,
inexhaustible
Riches
to
his
content
.
H.
V.
D.
He
that
exerciseth
Love
,
will
apprehend
what
I
say
:
but
if
I
speak
to
the
ungrateful
,
he
shall
not
comprehend
my
sayings
.
S.
Aug.
of
Divine
Love.
London
,
Printed
for
William
Cooper
at
the
Pelican
in
Little
Britain
.
1684.
Most
Noble
and
most
Famous
,
S.R.J.
curious
in
the
inspection
of
Nature
,
and
my
most
honoured
Patrons
.
NOt
only
in
former
times
,
but
also
in
this
old
Age
of
the
World
,
nothing
hath
been
deeper
buried
,
nor
hitherto
more
desired
by
all
,
especially
the
lovers
of
Art
,
than
the
knowledg
of
that
great
Mystery
of
the
Philosophers
,
which
by
a
known
word
is
called
the
Philosophers-Stone
;
We
therefore
preserving
the
Inscription
of
the
Monument
,
do
raise
this
knowledge
,
buried
and
obscured
under
the
pretext
of
the
Tomb
of
the
most
wise
Semiramis
,
formerly
Queen
of
Babylon
,
out
of
its
Grave
,
and
present
it
to
the
View
of
the
Learned
,
which
if
(
not
an
ambitious
covetous
Cyrus
,
but
)
a
wise
man
open
,
he
will
to
his
satisfaction
find
Royal
and
inexhaustible
Treasures
:
I
may
also
add
constant
Health
:
which
two
,
you
will
say
,
are
the
principal
supporters
of
an
happy
life
.
But
some
haply
of
no
small
ingenuity
will
imagin
that
this
Tomb
may
be
opened
by
Womens
work
,
or
Childrens
sport
:
but
let
them
know
that
this
Knowledg
is
a
most
deep
River
,
wherein
the
Lamb
wades
,
that
is
,
the
upright
profiteth
;
and
the
Elephant
swims
,
that
is
,
the
most
Learned
do
fluctuate
,
yea
are
drowned
in
their
opinions
,
errors
and
doubts
;
whilst
one
is
yet
doubtful
concerning
the
true
subject
of
the
great
Work
,
yea
generally
a
stranger
to
it
;
another
very
solicitous
in
acquiring
the
sophical
Mercury
,
wearyeth
himself
with
unsuccessful
labours
,
not
knowing
what
it
is
,
or
of
what
form
;
Another
tortures
himself
with
vain
perplexity
to
know
what
the
Philosophers
Fire
is
,
what
the
magical
Elements
,
the
Key
,
or
dissolving
Menstruum
,
whence
it
is
to
be
drawn
,
whether
sweet
,
or
corrosive
?
cold
or
fiery
?
it
hath
troubled
me
often
to
see
such
men
so
concerned
,
and
in
vain
laborious
in
those
things
,
wherein
they
at
length
could
find
nothing
but
vanity
and
affliction
of
mind
;
wherfore
commiserating
them
by
the
impulse
of
Charity
,
I
do
freely
impart
(
though
many
will
accuse
me
as
guilty
of
violated
silence
)
the
Light
mercifully
communicated
to
me
,
that
they
may
use
the
same
as
a
Key
to
the
Sanctuary
of
that
sacred
Knowledg
.
But
the
curious
Industry
,
and
indefatigable
Curiosity
of
you
,
being
most
excellent
in
the
exact
Arcana's
and
Work
of
Polydaedalus
nature
,
having
invited
all
the
Learned
men
of
the
World
by
your
most
sweet
incitements
,
to
communicate
the
most
secret
things
,
enjoyneth
and
obligeth
me
to
make
you
(
the
genuine
Sons
of
all
sorts
of
Knowledg
)
Heirs
of
this
,
which
in
my
judgment
is
the
most
exact
and
curious
Work
of
all
Nature
.
But
who
I
am
,
enquire
not
.
I
am
a
man
that
makes
it
my
study
to
profit
others
,
your
Friend
,
and
an
admirer
of
your
Vertues
,
known
to
many
,
at
least
by
name
.
Farewell
therefore
,
ye
Students
of
Nature
,
and
High-Priests
of
Art
,
the
lofty
Stars
of
Germany
,
God
be
with
you
,
and
with
his
Power
strengthen
your
Works
and
Thoughts
,
that
they
may
be
highly
advantagious
to
the
whole
Commonwealth
of
Learning
,
for
the
encrease
of
the
Publick-good
,
and
the
immortal
Glory
of
your
own
Names
.
From
my
Study
,
Jan.
1.
1674.
THE
Tomb
of
SEMIRAMIS
Hermetically
Sealed
.
CHAP.
I.
Of
the
Physical
subject
of
the
Philosophers
Stone
.
THE
Fear
of
the
Lord
is
the
beginning
of
our
Work
,
and
the
end
Charity
,
and
love
of
our
Neighbour
.
Entring
therefore
with
the
assistance
of
our
good
God
upon
so
divine
a
Work
,
it
must
be
first
enquired
,
what
the
subject
thereof
is
.
For
as
a
Plough-man
in
vain
prepares
his
Ground
for
Harvest
,
unless
he
be
assured
of
the
Seed
;
so
also
he
prepares
the
Chymical
Ground
without
any
recompence
,
if
he
knows
not
what
he
sows
therein
:
and
herein
at
this
day
many
do
perplex
themselves
,
and
are
hurried
into
different
opinions
.
But
this
is
not
a
place
to
discuss
all
these
things
,
whilst
some
do
seek
it
in
the
Animal
Kingdom
in
Blood
,
Sperm
,
Sweat
,
Urine
,
Hair
,
Dung
,
Egs
,
Serpents
,
Toads
,
Spiders
,
&c.
Others
are
with
great
diligence
imploy'd
in
the
Vegetable
Kingdom
,
especially
in
Wine
for
the
unprofitable
Magistery
.
For
though
it
be
manifest
to
us
,
that
the
supreme
Medicine
of
our
health
may
be
obtained
in
either
Kingdom
,
and
indeed
in
Man
,
(
especially
in
his
heart
)
as
also
in
Wine
:
for
as
Gold
contains
the
vertues
of
all
Minerals
,
so
do
these
two
comprehend
the
powers
of
all
Animals
and
Vegetables
as
contracted
into
one
;
yet
that
the
great
work
of
Philosophers
could
be
made
from
them
,
was
never
in
the
thought
of
any
Adept
,
it
is
therefore
requisit
to
be
sought
in
the
Mineral
Kingdom
.
But
there
is
also
here
a
great
company
of
Dissenters
,
so
that
we
have
need
of
an
Oedipus
.
For
some
there
be
that
think
to
extract
it
out
of
the
middle
Minerals
,
as
they
call
them
,
namely
,
Salt
,
Nitre
,
Alom
,
and
such
other
,
but
all
in
vain
,
because
they
have
in
them
no
Argent
vive
,
into
which
they
may
be
resolved
;
in
which
error
even
we
in
our
primitive
ignorance
were
also
involved
.
It
remains
therefore
to
be
supposed
,
that
Metals
are
the
Physical
subject
of
our
blessed
Stone
.
But
here
also
the
matter
is
in
suspence
,
because
Metals
are
some
perfect
and
some
imperfect
.
But
in
fine
we
say
,
that
all
fused
Metals
,
but
especially
the
not
fused
,
though
imperfect
,
may
by
the
intimate
depuration
of
their
original
pollution
(
which
yet
is
very
difficult
,
and
by
outward
appearance
scarce
possible
)
be
the
subject
of
the
Stone
,
whereof
,
saith
Flamel
,
some
have
operated
in
Jupiter
,
others
in
Saturn
,
but
I
(
saith
he
)
have
operated
and
found
it
out
in
Sol
:
and
in
Exercit.
ad
Turbam
it
is
read
,
That
all
Metals
clean
and
unclean
are
internally
Sol
,
and
Luna
,
and
Mercury
,
but
there
is
one
true
Sol
,
which
is
drawn
from
them
.
And
the
Author
of
the
secret
work
of
the
Hermetick
Philosophy
,
Can.
16
.
saith
,
He
that
seeks
the
Art
of
multiplying
and
perfecting
imperfect
Metals
but
by
the
nature
of
Metals
,
deviates
from
the
truth
;
for
Metals
must
be
expected
from
Metals
,
as
the
species
of
Man
from
Man
,
of
Beast
from
Beast
.
And
Can.
18.
He
proceeds
thus
:
Perfect
Bodies
are
endowed
with
a
more
perfect
Seed
;
under
the
hard
shell
therefore
of
the
perfect
Metals
lieth
the
perfect
Seed
,
which
he
that
knoweth
how
to
extract
by
Philosophical
Resolution
,
is
entred
into
the
Royal
Path.
So
also
that
Anonymous
Philalethes
in
his
Introduction
into
the
King's
Sacred
Palace
,
Chap.
19.
concerning
the
progress
of
the
Work
in
the
first
forty
days
;
There
is
indeed
in
all
(
even
in
the
common
)
Metals
,
Gold
,
but
nearer
in
Gold
and
Silver
,
though
(
as
the
same
Adept
speaks
well
)
there
is
yet
one
thing
in
the
Metallick
Kingdom
of
an
admirable
off-spring
,
in
which
our
Gold
is
nearer
than
in
common
Gold
and
Silver
,
if
you
seek
it
in
the
hour
of
its
nativity
,
which
melts
in
our
Mercury
,
as
Ice
in
warm
Water
,
&c.
But
leaving
now
these
more
imperfect
Metals
,
at
present
we
declare
those
two
great
and
more
perfect
Luminaries
Sol
and
Luna
,
to
wit
,
Gold
and
Silver
,
to
be
the
Physical
subject
of
the
Stone
,
which
way
a
great
part
of
the
Philosophers
have
followed
,
and
came
to
their
desired
end
.
Which
same
thing
Augurellus
shews
,
2
Chrysop
.
when
he
saith
,
Take
a
Metal
pure
,
and
purged
of
all
its
dross
,
whose
Spirit
recedes
in
its
secret
part
,
and
being
pressed
with
a
great
weight
,
lives
privily
,
and
desires
to
be
released
from
bands
,
and
to
be
sent
out
of
prison
to
Heaven
,
being
spread
into
thin
plates
.
The
same
in
Chrys
.
lib.
1.
Seek
not
the
principles
of
Gold
any-where
else
:
for
in
Gold
is
the
seed
of
Gold
;
though
being
close
shut
up
,
it
retires
further
,
and
is
to
be
sought
by
us
with
tedious
labour
.
And
concerning
the
dignity
of
both
the
Luminaries
,
Lully
,
that
Star
of
Spagyrick
Philosophy
,
in
his
Book
,
P.M.
28.
saith
,
Two
are
more
pure
than
the
rest
,
namely
,
Gold
and
Silver
,
without
which
the
Work
cannot
be
begun
or
finished
,
because
in
them
is
the
purest
substance
of
Sulphur
perfectly
purified
by
the
ingenuity
of
Nature
;
and
out
of
these
two
bodies
prepared
with
their
Sulphur
or
Arsenick
,
our
Medicine
may
be
extracted
,
and
cannot
be
had
without
them
.
And
Clangor
Buccinae
saith
,
You
must
operate
prudently
and
expresly
,
because
neither
Sol
nor
Luna
can
be
without
ferment
,
and
any
other
seed
or
ferment
is
not
proper
and
useful
,
but
Gold
to
the
red
,
and
Silver
to
the
white
;
which
bodies
being
first
subtiliated
under
weight
,
must
then
be
sowed
,
that
they
may
putrify
and
be
corrupted
;
where
one
form
being
destroyed
,
another
more
noble
is
put
on
;
and
this
is
done
by
the
means
of
our
Water
alone
.
From
hence
a
certain
Anonymous
in
his
Answer
excellently
concludes
;
As
Fire
is
the
principle
of
Fire
,
so
Gold
is
the
principle
of
Gold
;
such
as
the
Cause
is
,
such
is
the
Effect
;
such
as
the
Father
,
such
the
Son
;
such
as
the
Seed
is
,
such
is
the
Fruit
;
Man
generates
Man
,
and
a
Lion
a
Lion.
But
you
will
say
,
The
Philosophers
affirm
,
that
the
matter
ought
to
be
such
,
that
the
Poor
as
well
as
the
Rich
may
obtain
it
;
from
whence
that
saying
is
,
God
hath
granted
this
treasure
to
be
sought
by
all
men
;
nor
doth
he
deny
that
great
Good
to
any
man
,
except
to
him
that
makes
himself
unworthy
by
the
depraved
affections
of
his
heart
.
And
Geber
,
You
ought
not
to
consume
your
goods
because
of
mean
price
:
if
you
understand
the
principles
of
Art
,
which
we
shall
deliver
to
you
,
you
will
attain
to
the
compleat
Magistery
.
For
if
it
were
Gold
,
or
any
such
costly
thing
,
the
Poor
would
be
constrained
to
postpone
this
glorious
Work.
And
whereas
an
Artist
may
often-times
happen
to
erre
,
a
poor
man
could
not
repeat
the
Work
after
an
error
committed
,
which
must
absolutely
be
done
,
if
there
be
no
other
remedy
.
And
Lilium
;
This
Stone
is
openly
sold
at
the
meanest
rate
,
which
if
the
Sellers
knew
,
they
would
keep
it
in
their
hands
,
and
by
no
means
sell
it
.
And
another
Anonymous
,
Our
expences
exceed
not
the
price
of
two
Florins
:
which
Arnoldus
thus
confirms
;
Hold
fast
,
because
the
charge
of
our
most
noble
Art
exceeds
not
the
price
of
two
pieces
of
Gold
in
its
emption
,
that
is
,
in
the
operation
.
And
Geber
saith
,
If
in
operations
you
lose
your
money
,
reflect
not
injuriously
on
us
,
but
impute
it
to
your
own
imprudence
;
for
our
Art
requires
no
great
expences
.
To
which
we
answer
;
That
we
never
denied
,
that
besides
Gold
and
Silver
there
is
not
also
granted
another
subject
of
meaner
value
,
where
we
excluded
not
imperfect
Metals
,
as
we
mentioned
before
out
of
an
Anonymous
Philosopher
in
these
words
;
There
is
yet
one
thing
in
the
Metallick
Kingdom
of
an
admirable
beginning
,
&c.
though
many
Philosophers
would
have
this
vile
price
to
be
understood
of
our
dissolving
Menstruum
.
Moreover
,
you
will
say
out
of
Sendivogius
Tract
.
11.
in
your
Operations
take
not
common
Gold
and
Silver
,
for
these
are
dead
things
.
We
answer
,
by
granting
that
the
Stone
is
not
made
of
common
Gold
and
Silver
,
as
such
,
and
so
long
as
they
are
dead
,
but
when
resuscitated
,
and
reduced
into
their
first
seminal
nature
,
and
made
like
unto
the
Philosophers
Gold
,
then
do
they
not
only
express
their
seed
,
but
also
do
serve
instead
of
ferment
:
which
a
certain
Philosopher
confirms
in
these
words
,
saying
;
Neither
the
ancient
nor
the
modern
Philosophers
have
ever
made
any
thing
but
Gold
of
Gold
,
and
Silver
of
Silver
,
yet
that
was
not
common
Gold
or
Silver
.
By
which
it
appears
,
that
the
Philosophers
Gold
is
not
common
Gold
,
neither
in
colour
nor
in
substance
,
but
that
which
is
extracted
from
them
is
the
white
and
red
tincture
.
CHAP.
II.
What
the
Physical
or
Philosopher's
Gold
is
.
THe
Philosophers
Gold
or
Silver
,
is
a
metallick
body
,
resolved
into
the
last
matter
to
wit
,
into
Mercury
,
which
is
the
first
matter
of
the
Stone
,
and
is
thus
proved
:
Every
thing
is
from
that
into
which
it
is
resolved
:
But
all
Metals
are
reduced
into
Argent
vive
;
ergo
,
they
were
Argent
vive
.
For
,
according
to
the
common
opinions
of
Philosophers
,
that
which
the
wise
men
seek
is
in
Mercury
.
Moreover
,
Mercury
is
the
radix
in
Alchymy
,
because
from
it
,
by
it
,
and
in
it
are
all
Metals
.
And
Theophrastus
(
that
most
profound
Sea
of
the
Spagyrick-Philosophy
)
thus
speaks
concerning
the
first
matter
of
Metals
:
To
extract
Mercury
from
metallick
bodies
,
is
nothing
else
but
to
resolve
or
reduce
them
into
their
first
matter
,
that
is
,
running
Mercury
,
even
such
as
it
was
in
the
center
of
the
Earth
,
before
the
generation
of
Metals
,
to
wit
,
a
moist
and
viscous
vapour
,
which
is
the
Philosophers
Gold
or
Silver
,
containing
in
it
invisibly
the
Mercury
and
Sulphur
of
Nature
,
the
principles
of
all
Metals
,
which
Mercury
is
of
ineffable
vertue
and
efficacy
,
and
contains
divine
secrets
.
CHAP.
III.
Of
the
preparation
of
Bodies
for
the
Philosophers
Mercury
.
AVicen
saith
,
If
you
desire
to
operate
,
you
must
necessarily
begin
your
Work
in
the
solution
or
sublimation
of
the
two
Luminaries
;
because
the
first
degree
of
the
Work
is
,
that
Argent
vive
may
be
made
from
thence
;
but
because
these
,
as
the
more
perfect
Bodies
,
are
closer
bound
,
and
have
an
harder
coagulation
,
that
they
may
be
reduced
into
Mercury
,
they
do
in
the
first
place
require
preparation
,
and
physical
calcination
,
which
indeed
is
not
so
necessary
in
Silver
;
for
by
reason
of
the
cleanness
and
softness
thereof
,
our
Water
easily
acts
upon
it
;
which
is
not
done
in
Gold
and
the
other
Metals
,
which
do
all
require
Calcination
,
on
which
our
Water
then
more
easily
acts
,
especially
if
those
which
are
impure
be
depurated
for
the
similitude
of
substance
.
Concerning
the
Calcination
of
Bodies
out
of
the
secret
Work
of
the
Doctor
and
Bishop
of
Trent
for
the
Philosophers
Stone
:
Metals
to
be
dissolved
ought
to
be
first
calcined
or
purged
in
Lac
virginis
,
and
Luna
being
most
fine
and
subtilly
filed
,
must
be
dissolved
in
Aqua-fortis
,
and
distilled
rain-water
in
which
Sal
Armoniack
or
common
Salt
hath
been
dissolved
;
then
it
must
be
precipitated
into
a
most
white
Calx
,
and
washed
in
decanted
water
,
and
the
Calx
must
be
edulcorated
in
other
rain-water
hot
,
that
all
the
saltness
and
acrimony
may
be
taken
away
,
then
must
it
be
dryed
,
and
it
will
be
a
most
pure
Calx
.
But
Gold
must
be
calcined
after
this
manner
:
Make
an
Amalgame
with
Gold
(
which
must
be
first
depurated
by
the
Body
of
the
black
Eagle
,
that
it
may
be
made
beautiful
and
glorious
above
measure
)
and
Mercury
very
well
purged
with
Salt
and
Vinegar
,
and
strained
through
Leather
,
put
it
in
purified
Aquafortis
,
that
all
the
Mercury
may
be
dissolved
,
decant
the
Aquafortis
from
the
Calx
of
Sol
,
wash
the
Calx
as
aforesaid
in
warm
water
,
and
dry
it
with
a
gentle
heat
,
that
Calx
(
if
artificially
and
lightly
reverberated
,
yet
so
that
it
flow
not
)
will
be
converted
into
a
most
beautiful
Crocus
.
Gold
that
it
may
be
reduced
into
the
first
Matter
,
or
Mercury
of
Philosophers
,
is
thus
otherwise
calcined
,
whereof
Paracelsus
,
in
his
7th
Book
of
Metamorphosis
concerning
resuscitation
,
declares
,
namely
;
that
Metal
must
be
calcined
with
revivified
Mercury
,
by
puting
Mercury
with
the
Metal
into
a
Sublimatory
,
digesting
them
together
,
till
an
Amalgame
be
made
,
then
sublime
the
Mercury
with
a
moderate
Fire
,
and
bruise
it
with
the
metallick
Calx
,
and
as
before
,
repeat
the
digestion
and
sublimation
,
and
that
so
often
till
the
Calx
being
put
to
a
burning
Candle
will
melt
like
ice
,
or
wax
.
This
Metal
so
prepared
,
put
to
digestion
in
Horse-dung
or
in
Bal.
Mariae
,
moderately
hot
,
digesting
it
for
a
month
,
and
the
Metal
will
be
converted
into
living
Mercury
,
that
is
,
into
the
first
matter
,
which
is
called
the
Philosophers
Mercury
;
and
the
Mercury
of
Metals
,
which
many
have
sought
,
but
few
have
found
.
Joachimus
Poleman
of
the
Mystery
of
the
Philosophers
Sulphur
,
by
help
of
his
duplicated
and
satiated
Corrosive
,
divides
a
Metal
into
the
least
Atomes
,
and
dilacerates
it
to
be
delivered
to
the
fiery
Menstruum
,
dissolving
it
to
a
tinging
Soul.
It
is
calcined
by
us
another
and
better
way
,
which
Calcination
we
rather
call
the
first
solution
,
and
it
is
done
by
pouring
the
Wine
of
Life
to
the
Calxes
of
Sol
or
Luna
aforesaid
,
put
into
a
Phial
,
(
which
is
our
Menstruum
,
of
which
hereafter
in
Chap.
6.
)
to
the
heighth
of
a
fingers
breadth
,
and
putting
to
an
Head
or
Alembick
,
they
must
be
digested
in
Ashes
,
or
also
in
Sand
,
and
coagulated
;
being
coagulated
,
you
must
pour
on
new
Menstruum
,
as
before
,
and
coagulate
,
and
that
three
or
four
times
,
or
till
the
metallick
Calx
melt
at
the
fire
like
Wax
or
Ice
,
which
is
sign
of
sufficient
Philosophical
calcinations
;
and
this
is
done
with
the
preservation
of
the
Metal
in
its
primitive
vertue
;
and
this
is
that
which
Aristotle
saith
in
the
Rosary
,
joyn
your
Son
Gabricius
(
dearer
to
you
then
all
your
Children
)
with
his
Sister
Beja
,
who
is
a
tender
sweet
and
splendid
Virgin
.
CHAP.
IV.
Of
the
second
and
true
Philosophical
Solution
of
Bodies
,
and
their
reduction
into
Mercury
.
HAving
performed
Calcination
,
or
the
first
Solution
,
whereof
we
have
spoken
in
the
preceding
Chapter
,
and
which
(
as
the
anonymous
Philosopher
in
his
Golden
Treatise
of
the
Philosophers
Stone
in
his
Answer
hath
it
)
ought
to
be
sweet
and
fully
natural
;
that
is
,
which
should
without
noise
dissolve
the
Subject
with
the
preservation
of
its
radical
moisture
,
then
the
Bodies
so
calcined
must
be
put
into
a
Phial
hermetically
sealed
,
and
in
a
gentle
heat
of
Bal.
Mar.
or
Dew
,
be
digested
,
or
Putrified
the
space
of
a
Philosophical
Month
:
for
a
voluntary
Solution
is
better
than
a
violent
;
a
temperate
,
than
a
speedy
;
as
the
Philosopher
hath
it
.
And
thus
is
made
the
second
and
true
Solution
of
a
Metal
into
viscous
water
,
or
a
certain
Oleity
with
the
preservation
of
the
radical
moisture
,
in
which
is
the
true
metallick
Sulphur
,
together
with
the
true
and
most
noble
Mercury
:
for
one
of
them
is
always
the
Magnet
,
and
remains
solving
with
the
solved
,
and
desires
to
continue
inseparably
,
and
that
because
of
the
similitude
of
substance
.
Wherefore
the
Ancients
said
,
Nature
rejoyceth
in
Nature
,
Nature
overcometh
and
altereth
Nature
,
whereby
the
essential
or
formal
Solution
is
distinguished
from
the
corrosive
Solution
.
But
you
must
know
that
from
Luna
is
obtained
a
liquor
,
or
green
tincture
,
which
is
the
true
Elixir
of
Luna
,
and
the
highest
Arcanum
to
comfort
the
Brain
.
But
from
Sol
by
equal
putrifaction
is
produced
a
Liquor
of
the
highest
redness
,
which
is
the
true
Elixir
of
Sol
,
and
the
quinessence
of
Metal
.
Whereof
,
saith
Geber
,
we
make
sanguine
Gold
better
than
that
produced
by
Nature
,
which
Nature
no
wise
makes
.
Concerning
this
Viscosity
,
Geber
further
speaks
briefly
:
We
have
most
exactly
tried
all
things
,
and
that
by
approved
Reasons
,
but
we
could
never
find
anything
permanent
in
Fire
,
except
the
viscous
Moisture
,
the
sole
radix
of
all
Metals
,
when
as
all
the
other
Moistures
being
not
well
united
in
homogeneity
do
easily
flee
from
Fire
,
and
the
Elements
are
easily
separated
from
one
another
,
but
the
viscous
Moisture
,
to
wit
,
Mercury
is
never
consumed
with
Fire
,
nor
is
the
Water
separated
from
the
Earth
,
but
they
either
remain
altogether
,
or
go
altogether
away
.
But
will
you
enquire
in
what
weight
the
Menstruum
is
to
be
espoused
to
a
Metal
?
The
Philosophers
Rosary
saith
,
As
in
the
working
of
Bread
,
a
little
Leaven
leaveneth
and
fermenteth
a
great
quantity
of
Paste
;
so
also
a
modicum
of
Earth
is
sufficient
for
the
nutrition
of
the
whole
Stone
.
Aristotle
nominates
the
weight
,
saying
,
do
thus
,
and
coct
till
the
Earth
(
that
is
,
the
Gold
)
hath
exhausted
ten
parts
of
the
Water
.
The
Author
of
Novum
Lumen
at
the
end
of
his
Book
breaks
forth
into
these
words
;
There
ought
to
be
ten
parts
of
Water
to
one
part
of
Body
:
and
by
this
way
we
make
Mercury
without
common
Mercury
,
by
taking
ten
parts
of
our
Mercurial
Water
(
that
is
,
the
Mercurial
Oyl
of
Salt
putrefied
and
alembicated
)
which
is
an
unctious
vapour
,
to
one
part
of
the
body
of
Gold
,
and
being
included
in
a
Vessel
by
continual
coction
,
the
Gold
is
made
Mercury
,
that
is
,
an
unctuous
vapour
,
and
not
common
Mercury
,
as
some
falsly
do
imagine
.
CHAP.
V.
What
a
Quintessence
properly
is
.
PARACELSVS
in
his
third
Book
of
long
Life
,
chap.
2.
discourseth
thus
:
A
Quintessence
is
nothing
else
but
the
goodness
of
Nature
,
so
that
all
Nature
passeth
into
a
spagyrick
mixture
and
temperament
,
in
which
no
corruptible
thing
,
and
nothing
contrary
is
to
be
found
.
He
also
in
his
fourth
Book
Archidox
.
of
the
Quintessence
saith
,
A
Quintessence
is
a
matter
which
is
corporally
extracted
out
of
all
Crescitives
,
and
out
of
all
things
that
have
life
,
being
separated
from
all
impurity
and
mortality
,
most
purely
subtiliated
,
and
divided
from
all
the
Elements
thereof
.
And
a
little
after
in
the
same
place
;
You
ought
to
know
concerning
the
Quintessence
,
that
it
is
a
matter
little
and
small
,
lodged
and
harboured
in
some
Tree
,
Herb
,
Stone
,
or
the
like
;
the
rest
is
a
pure
body
,
from
which
we
learn
the
separation
of
the
Elements
.
Rupescissa
concerning
the
Quintessence
,
in
chap.
5.
about
the
end
,
saith
,
The
Quintessence
which
we
seek
is
therefore
a
thing
ingeniated
by
divine
breath
,
which
by
continual
ascensions
and
descensions
is
separated
from
the
corruptible
body
of
the
four
Elements
;
and
the
reason
is
,
because
that
wich
is
a
second
time
,
and
often
sublimed
,
is
more
subtile
,
glorified
and
separated
from
the
corruption
of
the
four
Elements
,
then
when
it
ascends
only
once
;
and
so
that
which
is
sublimed
even
to
a
thousand
times
,
and
by
continual
ascension
and
desoension
comes
to
so
great
a
vertue
of
glorification
,
that
it
is
a
compound
almost
incorruptible
,
as
the
Heavens
,
and
of
the
matter
of
the
Heavens
,
and
therefore
called
Quintessence
;
because
't
is
in
respect
of
the
Body
,
as
the
Heavens
are
in
respect
of
the
whole
World
,
almost
after
the
same
way
:
by
which
Art
can
imitate
Nature
,
as
by
a
certain
like
,
very
near
and
connatural
way
.
CHAP.
VI.
Of
the
Philosophical
Fire
,
or
Dissolving
Menstruum
,
or
our
Liquor
Alkahest
.
THe
preparation
of
this
Water
,
or
most
noble
Juice
,
(
which
is
the
Kings
true
Bath
)
the
Philosophers
always
held
occult
,
so
that
Bernard
Count
Tresne
and
Neigen
,
Book
2.
said
,
he
had
made
a
vow
to
God
,
to
Philosophers
,
and
to
Equity
,
not
plainly
to
explain
himself
to
any
man
,
because
it
is
the
most
secret
Arcanum
of
the
whole
Work
,
and
is
so
indeed
;
for
if
this
Liquor
were
manifested
to
every
man
,
Boys
would
then
deride
our
Wisdom
,
and
Fools
would
be
equal
to
the
Wise
,
and
the
whole
World
would
rush
hither
with
a
blind
impulse
,
and
run
themselves
headlong
without
any
regard
to
Equity
or
Piety
,
to
the
bottom
of
Hell.
Augurellus
calls
this
Menstruum
Mercury
in
these
words
:
Tu
quoque
nec
coeptis
Cylleni
audacibus
unquam
Defueris
Argentum
vulgo
quod
vivere
dicunt
Sufficit
,
&
tantis
praestant
primordia
rebus
.
Nor
is
Argent
vive
ever
wanting
to
the
bold
undertaking
of
Cylenus
,
it
yeelds
principles
to
great
things
.
The
same
doth
George
Ripley
judge
in
his
Preface
of
the
twelve
Gates
:
I
will
teach
you
truly
,
that
these
are
the
Mercuries
that
are
the
keys
of
Knowledge
,
which
Raymund
calls
his
Menstrua's
,
without
which
is
nothing
done
.
Geber
names
it
otherwise
,
saying
,
by
the
most
high
God
,
this
is
that
Water
,
which
lighteth
Candles
,
gives
light
to
houses
,
and
yeelds
abundance
of
Riches
,
Oh
the
Water
of
our
Sea
!
Oh
our
Sal
Nitre
appertaining
to
the
Sea
of
the
World
!
Oh
our
Vegetable
!
Oh
our
fixt
and
volatile
Sulphur
!
O
the
Caput
mortuum
,
or
faeces
of
our
Sea
!
Tridensine
in
his
secret
work
of
the
Philosophers
Stone
,
saith
:
The
Water
which
Philosophers
used
for
the
complement
of
the
Work
,
they
called
Lac
Virginis
,
Coagulum
,
the
Morning-dew
,
the
Quintessence
,
Aqua-vitae
,
the
Philosophers
Daughter
,
&c.
Paracelsus
variously
also
,
Azoth
,
Spirit
of
Wine
temper'd
and
circulated
,
Mercurial-Water
,
Sendivogius
,
Chalibs
;
Rupeseissa
,
Vinegar
most
nobly
distilled
.
Van-Helmont
(
that
most
profound
Philosopher
by
Fire
)
called
it
,
the
Liquor
Alkahest
,
and
thus
describ'd
it
:
The
Liquor
Alkahest
resolves
every
visible
and
tangible
body
into
its
first
matter
,
preserving
the
power
of
the
Seed
,
concerning
which
the
Chymists
say
,
the
Vulgar
burn
by
Fire
,
but
we
by
Water
.
We
,
by
the
Philosophers
leave
,
are
those
that
can
at
will
give
names
to
their
products
,
do
call
it
the
Mercurial
Oyl
of
Salt
putrefied
and
alembicated
:
for
Oyl
is
exalted
to
an
higher
degree
of
a
fiery
quality
,
as
it
is
the
foundation
of
the
whole
metallick
solution
,
(
which
is
to
be
well
observed
)
without
which
nothing
can
be
advantagious
in
the
Art
,
and
it
acts
the
part
of
a
Woman
in
our
Work
,
and
is
deservedly
called
the
Wife
of
Sol
,
and
the
Matrix
;
and
it
is
the
hidden
Key
to
open
the
close
Gates
of
Metals
;
for
it
dissolves
calcined
Metals
,
it
calcines
and
putrefies
the
volatile
and
spiritual
,
it
tingeth
into
all
colours
,
and
is
the
beginning
,
middle
and
end
of
Tinctures
;
and
is
of
one
nature
with
Gold
,
as
Arn.
de
Villa
Nova
affirms
,
unless
that
the
nature
of
Gold
is
compleat
,
digested
and
fixed
:
but
the
nature
of
the
Water
is
incompleat
,
indigested
and
volatile
.
In
a
word
,
it
is
the
Philosophers
Fire
,
by
which
the
Tree
of
Hermes
is
burnt
to
ashes
.
Concerning
this
Fire
Johannes
Pontanus
in
his
Epistle
saith
,
The
Philosophers
Fire
is
not
the
Fire
of
Balneo
,
nor
of
Dung
,
nor
of
any
thing
of
that
kind
,
which
the
Philosophers
have
published
in
their
Writings
;
it
is
mineral
,
it
is
equal
,
it
is
continual
,
it
evapourates
not
,
unless
it
be
too
much
incensed
;
it
participates
of
Sulphur
;
it
is
taken
elsewhere
than
from
the
matter
;
it
divide
,
dissolves
calcines
and
congeals
all
things
;
and
it
is
a
Fire
with
moderate
burning
;
it
is
a
compendium
without
any
great
charge
,
because
the
whole
work
is
perfected
therewith
.
Study
therefore
therein
:
for
if
I
had
found
this
at
first
,
I
had
not
erred
two
hundred
times
before
I
attained
to
practice
:
wherefore
men
do
err
,
have
erred
,
and
will
err
,
because
the
Philosophers
have
not
constituted
a
proper
Agent
in
their
Books
,
except
one
,
namely
Artephius
.
But
he
speaks
according
to
his
judgment
;
and
unless
I
had
read
Artephius
,
and
perceived
his
scope
,
I
had
never
attained
to
the
Complement
of
the
Work
,
&c.
Do
you
consult
him
,
and
ye
shall
know
what
our
Menstruum
is
.
I
have
said
enough
.
CHAP.
VII
.
Whether
the
dissolving
Menstruum
be
corrosive
.
GEBER
de
Sum.
perfect
.
Cap.
52
seems
to
be
of
this
opinion
,
whilst
he
saith
,
Every
thing
that
is
solved
must
necessarily
have
the
nature
of
Salt
,
Alums
,
and
the
like
.
And
Paracelsus
in
his
fourth
Book
Archidox
.
of
the
Quintessence
,
a
little
after
the
beginning
,
saith
thus
:
It
is
difficult
,
and
scarce
credible
,
to
extract
a
Quintessence
without
a
Corrosive
out
of
Metals
,
but
especially
out
of
Gold
,
which
cannot
be
overcome
but
by
a
Corrosive
,
by
which
the
Quincessence
and
Body
are
one
separated
from
the
other
;
which
Corrosive
may
again
be
taken
from
it
.
And
Chap.
3.
of
Long
Life
,
Tom.
6.
Book
3.
he
thus
speaks
:
Resolve
Gold
together
with
all
the
substance
of
Gold
by
a
Corrosive
,
&c.
and
that
so
long
till
it
be
made
the
same
with
the
Corrosive
:
nor
be
you
dismayed
because
of
this
way
of
operation
;
for
a
Corrosive
is
commodious
for
Gold
,
if
it
be
Gold
,
and
without
a
Corrosive
it
is
dead
.
Yet
you
must
know
,
that
our
Menstruum
being
poured
upon
Gold
,
ought
not
properly
be
said
to
be
corrosive
,
but
rather
fiery
;
the
strength
and
vertue
of
which
Arcanum
overcomes
all
Poisons
.
For
every
Realgar
,
that
is
,
Mercury
vive
and
sublimate
,
as
also
precipitate
,
ought
to
dye
in
the
Elixirium
of
Sol
,
and
come
to
a
singular
and
excellent
tincture
;
because
also
violent
solution
is
not
made
by
our
Menstruum
,
such
as
by
the
Resuscitatives
,
Aquafortis
and
Regia
,
and
others
of
this
form
;
but
(
as
was
said
before
in
the
fourth
Chapter
)
it
is
done
gently
,
sweetly
,
without
any
noise
,
and
with
the
preservation
of
its
radical
moisture
,
with
the
spirits
of
which
(
as
Lully
hath
it
in
his
Vade
mecum
)
a
vivified
vertue
is
infused
in
the
matters
.
CHAP.
VIII
.
Of
the
practice
of
the
Stone
.
WHen
you
have
acquired
the
tinging
Soul
of
the
Planet
,
or
the
true
Quintessence
thereof
by
previous
putrefaction
,
in
which
the
true
Mercury
,
and
the
Philosophers
true
Sulphur
are
contained
:
then
is
your
matter
prepared
,
fit
to
make
thereby
our
blessed
Stone
.
Take
therefore
(
in
the
name
of
Him
that
said
,
and
all
things
were
done
)
of
this
most
pure
matter
a
sufficient
quantity
,
put
it
into
a
fixing
Vessel
,
or
Phial
,
or
Philosophical
Egg
,
hermetically
sealed
;
place
it
in
an
Athanor
,
as
you
know
,
and
proceed
with
a
convenient
,
viz.
a
digesting
heat
,
continual
,
(
for
that
failing
it
must
needs
dye
,
or
become
abortive
)
sweet
,
subtile
,
altering
,
and
not
burning
(
that
I
may
use
the
Counts
own
words
)
from
the
first
conjunction
,
even
to
perfect
ablution
,
government
of
the
Fire
,
concerning
which
the
anonymous
Philalethes
may
be
further
consulted
,
who
by
the
government
of
every
Planet
cleerly
describes
the
diversities
of
colours
,
coagulating
and
fixing
it
into
the
white
or
red
Stone
:
for
(
as
Raymund
Lully
advertiseth
)
he
that
hath
not
power
and
patience
in
the
work
,
will
corrupt
it
with
too
much
haste
.
The
sign
of
the
Work
perfected
will
be
this
:
If
the
Stone
being
projected
upon
an
hot
plate
of
Venus
,
doth
melt
like
Wax
,
and
not
smoke
,
but
penetrate
and
tinge
,
then
is
the
Oriental
King
born
,
sitting
in
his
Kingdom
with
greater
power
than
all
the
Princes
of
the
World.
Hence
a
Philosopher
crys
out
,
Come
forth
out
of
Hell
,
arise
from
the
Grave
,
awake
out
of
Darkness
;
for
thou
hast
put
on
Brightness
and
Spirituality
,
because
the
voice
of
Resurrection
is
heard
,
and
the
Soul
of
Life
is
entred
into
thee
,
praised
be
the
Most
High
;
and
let
his
Gifts
redound
to
the
Glory
of
his
most
boly
Name
,
and
to
the
good
and
benefit
of
our
neighbour
.
CHAP.
IX
.
Of
the
augmentation
of
the
blessed
Stone
.
WHen
by
the
help
of
God
you
have
now
obtained
the
aforesaid
incombustible
Sulphur
,
red
with
Purple
,
that
you
may
by
the
repeated
inversion
of
the
Wheel
(
as
the
Philosophers
term
it
)
know
how
to
augment
it
;
in
which
no
small
mystery
of
Art
is
contained
,
we
may
the
same
way
and
method
augment
it
,
whereby
we
made
it
;
yet
you
must
know
that
the
oftner
our
Sulphur
,
which
is
our
Stone
,
is
moistned
or
nourished
by
its
proper
Milk
,
dissolved
in
a
moist
Balneo
,
and
again
coagulated
and
fixed
,
as
in
the
first
work
,
the
tinging
vertue
of
it
will
be
always
greater
;
so
that
indeed
after
the
first
absolute
work
,
one
part
will
tinge
an
hundred
of
purged
Mercury
,
or
any
other
imperfect
Metal
,
in
the
second
solution
by
Lac
Virginis
,
and
the
coagulation
and
fixation
thereof
,
one
part
will
tinge
a
thousand
.
And
thus
time
after
time
is
our
Medicine
augmented
and
multiplied
in
quantity
and
quality
,
in
vertue
and
weight
.
Take
therefore
one
part
of
our
Stone
,
and
pour
it
upon
two
parts
of
Lac
Virginis
,
or
the
Mercurial
Oyl
of
Salt
putrefied
and
alembicated
;
solve
and
coagulate
as
you
did
in
the
first
work
,
and
our
Water
which
before
was
only
a
Mineral
potentially
,
is
actually
made
a
Metal
more
precious
than
Gold.
And
thus
is
the
Stone
mortified
by
sublimations
,
and
revivified
by
imbibitions
,
which
is
the
chief
universal
way
.
These
things
being
brought
to
a
desired
end
,
Projections
may
at
pleasure
be
made
upon
this
or
that
Metal
prepared
,
and
decently
mundified
and
fused
,
as
you
have
obtained
the
tincture
either
for
white
or
red
;
the
true
use
of
this
Art
,
and
all
the
Philosophers
Books
,
(
especially
out
Philalethes
)
will
abundantly
shew
.
CHAP.
X.
Of
the
physical
use
of
the
Stone
both
internal
and
external
.
YOU
must
know
concerning
this
blessed
Stone
,
that
it
is
an
universal
Medicine
containing
in
it
the
perfect
Cure
of
all
Diseases
,
as
well
hot
as
cold
,
so
far
as
they
are
known
to
be
curable
by
Nature
,
and
are
permitted
by
God
to
be
cured
.
If
you
enquire
,
how
this
most
perfect
Medicine
,
and
Celestial
Tincture
,
and
such
other
Universal
Curatives
do
act
,
and
operate
,
by
curing
contrary
things
in
Man's
Body
.
We
answer
;
They
perform
all
this
by
heating
,
illuminating
,
and
irradiating
the
Archaeus
,
as
our
Philosopher
Van
Helmont
hath
it
in
a
Treatise
,
entituled
,
There
is
in
Herbs
,
Words
and
Stones
a
great
Vertue
,
that
they
do
certainly
act
without
their
dissolution
or
destruction
,
without
their
penetration
,
intro-admission
,
commixture
,
and
commutation
,
also
afar
off
upon
the
drowsie
or
inflamed
Archaeus
,
as
it
were
by
the
sight
alone
,
by
the
irradiation
or
ejaculation
of
their
vertues
produced
and
exposed
,
their
former
weight
and
properties
being
yet
retained
,
and
not
changed
.
After
which
manner
,
as
Joachimus
Poleman
excellently
saith
,
They
transmute
the
spirits
of
darkness
,
to
wit
,
diseases
,
(
which
are
all
nothing
else
but
the
properties
of
the
seat
of
death
,
or
the
forerunners
of
dark
and
obscure
death
)
into
good
spirits
,
such
as
they
were
when
the
man
was
sound
in
perfect
health
,
and
by
this
renovation
of
the
defective
powers
,
strength
is
withal
universally
restored
.
The
dose
of
it
is
from
one
grain
to
two
,
according
to
the
age
and
strength
of
the
Patient
in
a
draught
of
warm
Wine
,
or
in
a
spoonful
of
the
same
Quintessence
dissolved
,
and
taken
every
third
day
.
In
external
Diseases
,
Wounds
,
Cacoetheck
and
Phagedenick
Ulcers
,
Fistulaes
,
Gangreen
,
Cancer
,
&c.
one
grain
is
taken
in
Wine
every
day
,
or
once
in
two
days
;
but
the
part
externally
affected
is
washed
in
Wine
,
wherein
a
portion
of
our
Stone
hath
been
dissolved
;
or
if
necessity
require
,
it
is
injected
by
a
Syringe
,
putting
a
plate
of
Lead
,
and
a
convenient
Ligature
thereupon
.
And
this
is
the
internal
and
external
use
of
this
great
Mystery
consummated
,
for
the
acquisition
of
which
invoke
the
Light
of
Light
,
and
with
a
pure
heart
pray
for
the
illumination
of
your
understanding
,
and
you
shall
receive
it
:
then
operate
prudently
,
give
relief
to
the
Poor
,
abuse
not
the
blessings
of
God
,
believe
the
Gospel
,
and
exercise
your self
in
Piety
,
Amen
.
FINIS
.