Manuscript Transmitted to the Serene Duke of Holstein Explaining the Obscure Matters of Alchemists

):0(:
The page shows significant foxing and moisture stains along the left and bottom margins.

I shall reveal and explain this, therefore: It is said, first of all, to be the First Matter of things, because this is truly the first matter of all things, and all things are made from it, and arise from it, and are reduced into it through natural putrefaction. It is also called the Microcosm, because all the elements are contained within it, and the Heaven and all the properties of the Heaven and of all the elements are restrained within it. For the Heaven, the Sun, the Moon, and all the Stars are comprehended within it, whence the Philosophers say: in our unique subject truly are the Sun and Moon and all the stars conjoined, and likewise in that subject are so many and so great virtues that we cannot admire them enough. It is also called the Stone of the eagle, because another stone is contained within it, hidden in its belly. For the true and absolute Philosophers' Stone is made from it and is likewise hidden in its belly. It is also called Water of life: for it revives our dead King, i.e., gold, which is truly dead by common fusion, when it is cooked out from its mine. For that golden Spirit vanishes by fusion, and consequently its life fails. Life being taken away and evaporated, gold is said to be dead; but when it returns, and is made by it, it is said to recover life, and to be resuscitated from the dead. It is called water of life, since it delivers all men from all diseases and prolongs their life. It is called poison because it kills metals, and all things, and leads to putrefaction, so that they may be regenerated from it, and led to a better state. It is also called Spirit, since it is volatile, and flies into the heavens and clarifies all metals, and bestows life upon them, as a true vital spirit. It is called the supreme and unique medicine, since it cures all infirmities, both of men and of metals. It is called Heaven, since this matter is incorruptible, like Heaven, and works as if it were Heaven invisibly and spiritually in all natural things. It is called cloud; for it gives celestial water, rain and dew, with which its own water is sprinkled, so that it may bear fruit, i.e., its Mercury. It is called Dew. For it falls from the air, and refreshes and impregnates water with its germs, so that the milk of the virgin may proceed and spring forth from it. It is called shadow;