Philosophical Dialogue between the Flying Mercury and a Common Smelter

hearts, and have a merciful compassion for your ignorance. This completes the sentence from the previous page: "...because of your ignorance, sin [which] you have before your hearts."

Smelter. Yes, yes, speak as you will; I shall certainly guard myself against you, so that I have little to do with you. I have often laughed at my masters for being so simple as to still believe a single word you say, since I have seen and heard how many times you have miserably deceived them and led them into quite adventurous errors original: abendtheuerlich veriret; suggesting being led into wild, nonsensical, or wandering paths of logic.. Yet they still have patience with you and let themselves be led astray by you all over again; I would not have so much patience for it. But wait, I must now tend to my furnace again and see to my work, so that I do not miss anything because of this chatter; for this ore-roasting Ore-roasting: The process of heating ore (Erz-Röstung) to a high temperature to burn off impurities like sulfur or arsenic before the actual smelting begins. is not my only task here; as you see, I have still more to do.

Mercury. It would grieve me, my dear Smelter, if you were to neglect anything in your labors because of our conversation, for I see that you are a diligent man and have so many strange fires around you that one might soon become anxious and fearful in their presence. But what kind of thoughts must you Smelters and Foundry-men Foundry-men: In the original Hütten-Leute, referring to workers in a Hütte (a smelting works or metallurgical facility). have of me, and what must you take me for, that you have such a great disgust and loathing for me? Yes, you already become anxious and fearful if you only hear my name mentioned—I, who am nevertheless capable, and also quite ready and willing, should you desire it, to accomplish in your roasting and smelting labors that which you, by yourselves...