The lives of the adepts in alchemystical philosophy

...finished his work. When the task was complete, the philosopher wrote a message on the vase containing the elixir a substance believed to transform metals or prolong life. It said, "He who has all has no need of others." He immediately left the city and traveled safely back to his home.

When Kalid heard this, he went to the house where Morien had lived. He found the vase containing the tincture an alchemical extract or the philosopher's stone. He was filled with regret when he read the inscription and found that the hermit was gone.

The Sultan was sad to lose a true artist. He was also angry with the false alchemists who had made empty promises. He issued a law that all such pretenders should be executed. He called his favorite slave, Galip, and asked what they should do. Galip replied that they should hope that God would show them the right path.

Kalid remained anxious for several years. One day, while he was hunting with Galip, the slave found a devout hermit praying in a lonely place. Galip asked the man who he was and where he came from. The hermit replied that he was from Jerusalem. He said he had lived in the mountains for a long time with a holy man. He had heard that Kalid wanted to know how to complete the Mystery of Hermes the secret of alchemy. He knew that the holy man was very skilled in that science. He had left his country to tell the prince about him.

Galip was worried for the man. He told him to say no more, because he did not want the hermit to be killed like the impostors before him. The hermit said he feared nothing. He asked to be presented to the prince. Galip brought him to Kalid. The hermit told the Sultan that he knew how to achieve the alchemical work. He said there was a wise hermit in the wilderness of Jerusalem who received this wisdom from God. The hermit said he had seen proof of this wisdom. The holy man brought a large amount of gold and silver to Jerusalem every year.

Kalid warned the hermit about the danger of making false promises. Many others had died for deceiving princes about things they did not know. The hermit remained confident and showed no fear. Kalid began to feel hopeful. When he heard the description of the man and his name, he believed it was Morien.

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Morien—Avicenna.

The hermit promised he would find Morien. Kalid ordered Galip to go with him and take enough guards. After a difficult journey, they reached the mountains of Jerusalem. They found the elderly Morien. He wore a simple hair-cloth a garment made of coarse animal hair used for penance. He appeared young and lived a very strict life. Galip recognized him and greeted him for the prince. The hermit understood why they had come. He agreed to go to Egypt. When the Sultan saw Morien, he told Galip how happy he was to find the man he had missed for so long. He wanted Morien to live a worldly life of luxury. Morien had other goals. He wanted to convert the prince to Christianity, while the prince only wanted riches.

Morien explained the truths of Christianity, but he could not change the Sultan's heart. The prince was happy to have the source of treasure. He found a house for Morien that showed how much he valued him. They had many conversations. The pious philosopher tried to reach the Sultan's soul, but he failed. Eventually, Morien revealed the secrets the Sultan had desired for so long.

It is not known what happened to Morien after that. His life and conversations were recorded by himself and by Galip. Kalid also left some small works on this subject. These are printed in collections of Hermetic Philosophy alchemical writings.

Roger Bacon and Arnold of Villanova cited Morien as an authority. They wrote in the thirteenth century. Robertus Castrensis Robert of Chester claims that he translated Morien's book from Arabic into Latin in the year 1182.

AVICENNA.

The region of Khorasan produced another famous adept at the end of the tenth century. This was Ebn Sina, also known as Avicenna. He was born in Bacara, the main city of that Persian province, around the year 980. He made great progress in mathematics. He was a genius in the highest forms of philosophy. He was only sixteen when he began studying medicine. He was very successful. It is said he was so skilled at diagnosing diseases that he discovered a prince's nephew was suffering from love. He used a clever plan to find the person the young man loved.

Medicine and philosophy were his main focus. These brought him so much fame that Sultan Magdal Doulet made him his Prime Visier Vizier or high official.

Avicenna drank wine often, even though the religion of Islam forbids it. His lack of self-control led to a disordered life. He lost his high positions in the government. He died in 1037 at the age of 56. He was buried in Hamadan, a city in Persia that was once the capital of Media.