Two Dialogues on Alchemy

GEBER. It is commonly called vitriol. original: "Vitriolum." Vitriol refers to sulfate minerals, usually green or blue, which alchemists valued for their acidic and metallic properties.

DEMO. Oh! Are metals then generated from vitriol?

GEBER. Yes, indeed. The generation of all metals comes from vitriol and sulfur.

5DEMO. How do you prove this, so that I may have faith in your words?

GEBER. It is certain that every thing is resolved into that from which it was composed. Therefore, if you know how to resolve metals into their prior matter, they will undoubtedly be reduced back to vitriol. We have also called this "dry water." Dry water: An alchemical term for substances that appear solid or powdery but act as powerful solvents, much like a liquid.

»For that reason, in the Book of Investigation original: "lib. inueftigationis." This refers to Geber's influential work, Liber Investigationis Magisterii., in the chapter on vitriol, we stated with certainty that different species of vitriol can be separated from different metals.

10These will be of the greatest use to us. They are highly necessary in the operation of this art. We confirmed the same thing in Book 3, Chapter 7.

DEMO. It seems to me (to speak frankly what I feel) that there is no small contradiction in your words.

15GEBER. What contradiction are you telling me about?

DEMO. In many places you have taught, and in your writings you have affirmed, that sulfur and quicksilver original: "argentum uiuum," literally living silver. are the true natural principles of all metals. Now you attribute this to vitriol. This makes me quite suspicious.

20GEBER. We sufficiently proved in Book 1, Chapter 12, that quicksilver and sulfur are not the first principles of metals. If you understand that passage correctly, you will recognize that I clearly taught these are not the true principles of metals in their own nature.

25Instead, it is something else. It follows from the alteration of their substance, from their natural root into an earthy substance.

DEMO. This talk is obscure. I do not understand.

»GEBER. You undoubtedly remember that I have already said that earth, mixed with water, is the root and foundation of all metals?

» 30DEMO. I remember.

GEBER. However, this alteration of theirs into an earthy substance does not happen in the essence or substance of sulfur, or in common quicksilver. Rather, it happens in their root, namely, in the earth...