Prolegomena.

But while I was doing this, I raised a question (considering that some philosophers had written in verse and others in prose): which of these should take precedence? After some consideration, I awarded it to the poetic part. This was not only because its origins likely precede the time of Orpheus—even though he is noted by Michael Maier original: "Maierus," a famous German alchemist and physician (1568–1622). as the First Leader, Priest, Theologian, PROPHET, and Teacher of the entire Greek nation original: "Primus Antistes, Sacerdos, Theologus, VATES, & Doctor totius Græcorum nationis"—but also because Linus is said to be the most skilled original: "Perite" of any lyric poet. Linus was so ancient that some suppose him to be the master of Orpheus, who wrote that admirable allegory of the Golden Fleece In alchemical traditions, the quest for the Golden Fleece was often interpreted as a metaphor for the search for the Philosopher's Stone.. Orpheus was the first of all the Greeks to bring alchemical learning Chemick Learning (along with other sciences) out of Egypt, just as Linus was the first to bring Phoenician learning to the Greeks. I say I chose poetry not only because it is the most ancient form, while prose is of more recent use among other nations, but because poetry has been most anciently used among us in England and—as if by a grant of nature—is held to be unquestionable.

Again, the excellent melody of poetry is so natural and universal that it seems to be born with all the nations of the world, as an inborn eloquence proper to all mankind. Nor was this all, for I considered that it claims a general succession and reception in all nations and all ages, which were never without a Homer, a Virgil, or an Ovid. Even this small segment of the world, England, was not without a Rafis of Chester original: "Rafis Cestrensis" and a Hortulanus Latin for "The Gardener.". Regarding the first of these, his Book of Lights original: "Liber Luminum" and his Light of Lights original: "Lumen de Luminum" are the oldest works now surviving in Latin verse. In the latter of these, I cannot omit this title of his: The Answer of Rafis of Chester to his son Merlin original: "Responsio Rafis Cestrensis Filio suo Merlino". From this, it appears he was Merlin's contemporary (at least), if not his master, in this hidden mystery original: "Abstruse Mystery," referring to alchemy.. Both of these works were published by Hermannus, but very imperfectly, as I found by comparing them with a manuscript as ancient as King John’s time. As for the second, Hortulanus, he was the first Christian philosopher after Morienus A legendary alchemist said to have taught the Umayyad prince Khalid ibn Yazid.. Because he was the first to transplant the "alchemical muses" from the most remote parts into his own country (traveling abroad and returning here during the reign of William the Conqueror), he is called Garland, for the Hermetic and Poetic crown original: "Garland, ab Coronam Hermeticam & Poeticam." This likely refers to John de Garlandia, an 11th-century grammarian and alchemist..

But, to return to our matter.

Even if neither its antiquity, nor its natural confirmation, nor its general succession and reception were enough to allow poetry the "right hand of fellowship," I still believe its effects are sufficient. These effects so affect and delight the ear, rejoice the heart, and satisfy the judge-