Collection of Alchemical Treatises

both ancient and modern, have wished to speak of it, out of envy; and yet thirty-four years have passed since I have studied, worked, practiced, and expended [my means] thereon. And by my God, never in any book that I have read have I found it; rather, by the will of God, through the force of speculation and experience, I have obtained it. And they have made it on account of the great and infinite virtue that it possesses, for by it alone are accomplished all the natural works of this science, as Raymond Lull says in all the books he has written, and likewise all the other philosophers. I speak with regard to the transmutation of the philosophers' stone, and of the other infinite branches and works which are performed and can be performed in this art, following the first, second, and third order of the philosophers. The good doctor Christopher of Paris has written three books thereon, named

the Violette, the Sommette, and the Lucidaire, in the Italian tongue, from which I have translated them into the French language for the love of the poor operators of this science, without adding or diminishing anything; although it displeases me that he has spoken of it so clearly, even though there are few who can enter into his school. Notwithstanding that I have said that the true transmutation of metals consists in two waters, there is yet another which dissolves gold and renders it spiritual for the preservation of human nature and the metallic species; which water is called the Vegetable Quintessence, as several modern philosophers have stated, and principally the good doctor, illuminated by God, Raymond Lull, who has spoken more of it than