Natural Magic

nature, it does not only show us the works of nature, as it appears commonly, but also (setting aside all superstition) it produces for us some monsters and miracles of nature, and thus it surpasses all other sciences, the divine one excepted, such that the other arts and sciences serve it and seem to obey it and be subject to it as to a queen. With good right then I place it as most difficult, high, and royal, above the others. Cicero recounts that no one could enjoy the kingdom of Persia without first having perfect knowledge of Magic, and Plato in his book titled Alcibiades says thus: The children of the kings of Persia are instructed in the science of natural things to better govern their Republic, taking example from the Republic of nature. What need is there to make mention of Pythagoras, Democritus, Empedocles, and Plato, so renowned throughout the universe, who had such a great desire to learn this Natural Magic that to attain it they traveled almost throughout the whole world, exiling themselves to then afterwards, having returned, show and declare to the men of their countries this noble and excellent science.