THE CUSTODIANS OF THE LIBRARY

To the Students of Vatican Alchemy

to be truly wise.

SINCE many followers of Alchemy The medieval and early modern precursor to chemistry, focused on the transformation of matter and the creation of the "Philosophers' Stone." of every class are found in these times, who scrutinize the hidden causes of natural philosophy so that they might draw out the Philosophers' Stone original: "lapis philosophorum"; a legendary substance supposed to be able to change base metals into gold and grant eternal life. (as it is commonly called) from paper-based obscurities, and wring it from the hands of Arnald Raynald Arnald of Villanova (c. 1240–1311), a famous physician and alchemist., Raymond Raymond Lull (c. 1232–1315), a philosopher and theologian to whom many alchemical texts were falsely attributed., Geber, and some Monks—not to mention even the highest Theologians—the cleverer among them by interpreting perversely, those more inclined by affirming ambiguities, the stupider by believing in chimeras, the swifter by experimenting, and the lavish by pouring out and losing their money; they are ended with this result: that they waste their time, promise vain things, blather bombastic words, and are held as a joke and object of derision by all, so that finally they squander their money in place of the Stone. Hence an art so rare—indeed a science so supernatural—is held and believed to be an illusion and mere deception. Nor is it a wonder, when students of this divine invention assiduously read Geber and admire him as if he were their own Aristarchus Aristarchus of Samothrace was a famous Greek scholar known for his rigorous and often harsh criticism of literature; here, it means the alchemists treat Geber as their ultimate, infallible authority.: they cling to him, keep watch over him, and devote themselves to him, just as Alexander of Macedon Alexander the Great. was accustomed to do with the Education of Cyrus original: "pedia Cyri"; Xenophon’s biography of Cyrus the Great, which Alexander reportedly kept with him at all times as a manual for leadership.. And since that author [Geber] abounds with infinite errors, and is carried about as one who is blind, crippled, or rather as someone else entirely; and like a Scyllan satyr A reference to a monstrous or wild figure; here used to describe Geber's writing as harsh, animalistic, or incomprehensible., he does not speak but gnashes his teeth; he does not teach but unteaches, and [nurtures?] lactitan...? the mind The text breaks off here mid-word; "lactitan" likely relates to "lactitante," meaning to suckle or nurture, suggesting the text "feeds" the mind in a deceptive way.