On Alchemy

...we composed before our book, which is titled The Sum of Perfection of the Mastery original: "Summa perfectionis magisterij". In that work, we defined completely whatever we have seen and touched according to the order of science. We followed experience and certain knowledge, which we noted through our own scrutiny of the effects of natural and mineral things, and the various transformations appearing in the work. We have endeavored to reveal our science, which was written previously, through this commentary on investigation. We composed this to explain the science itself. Therefore, by right, this book precedes that one, since through this book I seek to investigate the knowledge of the thing that brings perfection.

Concerning the things that perfect and corrupt metallic bodies. Chapter 2.

An ornate woodcut initial letter 'C' features a bearded figure sitting amidst decorative foliage and scrollwork. Since this science deals with the imperfect bodies of minerals, insofar as it is proper to perfect them, we have first considered two things: namely, Imperfection and Perfection. We base our intention upon these two. We compose this book regarding the things that perfect and those that corrupt, according to what we have investigated through our experience. This is because opposites placed next to each other become more clear. The thing that brings perfection in minerals is the substance of quicksilver quicksilver: also known as mercury and sulfur mixed in proportion, through long...