A decorative woodcut headpiece shows a bearded male figure, perhaps a deity or personification, wearing a radiant crown. On either side are two hounds facing outwards while looking back toward the center. The background features elaborate foliate scrolls and floral motifs.

POIMANDRES OF HERMES TRISMEGISTUS

Once, when I was contemplating the things that exist and my understanding had been lifted high, while my bodily senses were strongly restrained, as if by those who are heavy with sleep from overeating or physical labor, I thought I saw a being of immeasurable size calling my name and saying to me, "What do you wish to hear and see, and having understood, what do you wish to learn and know?" I said, "Who are you?" "I am," he said, "Poimandres, the Nous Divine Mind of sovereign authority. I know what you wish, and I am with you everywhere." I said, "I wish to learn about the things that exist, to understand their nature, and to know God. I wish to hear how this is." He said, "Hold in your Nous Mind all that you wish to learn, and I shall teach you." Having said this, he changed in appearance, and immediately everything was opened to me in a moment. I saw an unlimited vision. Everything had become light, both pleasant and joyful, and I was enamored upon seeing it. And after a little while, there was downward-tending darkness, having come to be in a part,