MERLIN TO THE SOBER JUDGE original: "MERL. IVDICI SOBRIO." The title addresses a "Sober Judge," a person who considers himself moderate and sensible, but whom Merlin is about to expose as shallow.

There is a river in Phrygia called the Gallus,

original: "Gallus." A river in Asia Minor. According to classical legend, its water, if drunk in moderation, was medicinal, but if drunk in excess, it caused madness.

From which, if you drink but a little,

It heals the ailments of the body.

But if you swallow it immoderately, it will swallow you up,

Until you breathe your last breath,

Never to drink again.

So also the letters of wisdom, when touched but slightly:

wisdom: "sophia." In this context, it refers to deep philosophical or occult knowledge.

They contribute to the civic life,

And provide the greatest delight.

If you gorge yourself on them too much, they will trouble you,

And drive you into madness,

Or toward a headlong pursuit of glory.

Bruno often warned that the study of deep philosophy could be dangerous for those without the right temperament, leading to intellectual vanity or a break from reality.

Since, therefore, you have until now been made prudent,

Lest you should incur such great harm,

By the recommendation of your masters,

It has pleased you only to sip at wisdom,

to sip: "pitissare." A rare term meaning to taste or sip wine, usually used to describe a superficial sampling rather than drinking deeply.

Only to touch it with your lips,

And to catch its scent with your nose.

Therefore, I declare that you do not act well,

While you hasten here as a judge,

To shake the ears of Midas.

original: "Midæ auriculas." In Greek mythology, King Midas was given the ears of a donkey (an ass) as a punishment for his poor judgment in a musical contest between Apollo and Pan. To "shake the ears of Midas" means to display one's own foolishness or lack of discernment while attempting to act as a critic.