De la Pirotechnia

as a warning original: "per auertenza"; likely referring to the observation of its properties., it is not a poison to life, as are some of the others. Rather, it is a medicine beneficial to various illnesses. And Nature, through its own particular virtue, has endowed it with a singular privilege to comfort the weakness of the heart, and to introduce joy and gladness, further disposing it toward magnanimity and greatness of works. Many wise men maintain that such grace was granted to it by the benevolence of the sun In the 16th century, the sun was cosmologically linked to gold, and its heat was thought to "ripen" the metal in the earth.; and therefore it is so welcome, and helps with such power, especially those who find themselves possessing great sacks and full chests of it.

And to conclude, this metal is a malleable and shiny body, in a color almost similar to that shown to us by the sun. It has within itself a certain intrinsic natural attraction, so that when it is seen, it disposes minds to desire it. Because of this, many virtues are attributed to it, and it is held so precious by men (even though many cry out against it, accusing it rather of being the seed of pestiferous and monstrous avarice original: "auaritia"; Biringuccio acknowledges the social and moral critiques of gold-seeking while maintaining its technical importance., and the cause of many evils, rather than praising it as beneficial).

But let us set aside this dispute over whether it does more harm or good, for it would be a long and useless argument. For this reason (as I have already told you), I repeat to you again, that the dignities found within it have made me treat it before any of the other metals; and all the more as it seems to me that the order of this my work requires it, so that I may then better descend to the level of the other metals, so that if, in these our parts of Italy, good fortune should grant you or others the chance to work with it, you will at least not find yourselves without the light of practical experience.

And I have done so willingly, so that you may acquire so much more knowledge, for I am certain that new information always gives birth to new inventions in the intellect, and new insights. Indeed, I am certain they are the keys to reviving wits, and to making them (should they wish to reach certain goals) able to arrive at levels they otherwise could not even approach without these foundations.

Therefore now, beyond what I have told you in general, I will tell you in particular of its nature and generation, and likewise the signs of where it is produced and generated, so as not to leave anything behind; and finally, I will tell you how it must be purged of its superfluous earthiness This refers to the "gangue" or waste rock and impurities mixed with the metal in its raw state., after I have told you how its mine original: "minera"; here meaning the ore deposit itself. may be found.

But because I cannot say I have seen with my own eyes the mountains that contain such gold mines, or the places where the practice of such work is carried out, I will tell you only what (having accurately sought to understand it) has been narrated to me by persons worthy of trust, or what I have gathered by reading certain writers. From these, I have understood as most true that the majority of this metal is found in Scythia A vast region in Eurasia; historically cited by ancient authors as a source of gold., and in those provinces that among us are called the East—perhaps because in those places it seems the sun extends its greatest vigor. Of which today (according to report) India holds the first place, and especially those islands that the armed fleets of the sacred King of Portugal Referring to the Portuguese exploration and colonization of the East Indies and Africa., and of his Majesty the Emperor Referring to Charles V, who oversaw the Spanish discovery and extraction of gold in the Americas.