Philosophical Dialogue between the Flying Mercury and a Common Smelter

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...will surely have to be abandoned along with your presumed sciences.

Schmeltzer. I believe this well, my dear Mercury, that you are well-versed in the fire and no longer fear it, since you have bathed in it more often than in water. You have surely sweated In alchemy, "sweating" refers to the process of heating a substance in a closed vessel so that moisture or volatile components collect on the glass. within it many times for the Gentlemen Alchemists, so much so that you became anxious and fearful. I even saw you recently with my masters in such a fiery form that no one could bear to hold you in their hand; what do you bet, they had you right by the head then? Tell me, how did you feel at that time?

Mercurius. This is precisely the right mode, which fulfills your will, but not your desire; certainly, no greater follies could be undertaken with me than what your masters have already done. But I assure you, so long as they leave me in this, my great form, I remain volatile and march away.

Schmeltzer. Ah, my dear Mercury, it is certain that, through and through, there is not much to be done with you, however you may appear from the outside. For I have seen you with my masters in your true form as well; you shone like a mirror and were as clear as a Crystal original: "Chrystall". In this context, it refers to a purified, transparent, or solidified state of a mineral., and you looked delicate and beautiful. Yet, just when they rejoiced in you most, you flew away A reference to mercury's high volatility; it evaporates easily when heated, "escaping" the alchemist's vessel. from them. For my part, I have seen and learned enough from you to know that you are a true black magician original: "Schwarzkünstler", implying a sorcerer or one who uses deceptive arts., and with all your antics you only lead people astray; well for those who renounce you entirely and [avoid] your deceitful company...

avoid