Prolegomena.

Therefore, you who love to converse with the dead, or consult with their monuments, draw near; perhaps you may find more benefit in them than in the living. There you may meet with the guiding spirits original: "Genii" of our Hermetic philosophers Practitioners of alchemy and esoteric wisdom based on the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus, learn the language in which they wooed and courted Dame Nature, and enjoy their company more freely and with greater command (to satisfy your doubts) than when they were in the flesh. For they have written more than they would speak, and they left their writing original: "Lines" so rich, as if they had dissolved gold in their ink and clothed their words with the sovereign moisture original: "Soveraign Moysture"; an alchemical term referring to the "mercury of the philosophers" or the universal solvent.

My annotations are limited within the bounds of what is historical, or what must occasionally overlap original: "intrench" with the territory of other arts. I have purposely omitted all commentary original: "Glosses" upon the actual philosophical work The secret alchemical process of creating the Philosopher's Stone for the same reasons that I chose to send forth other men's "children" Referring to the poems and texts by other authors in this collection into the world rather than my own. And whatever arrogant mistakes or errors the sincere original: "Candid" reader shall encounter, I hope they will be judged with no less favor and charity than that with which people are accustomed to judge the faults of those they consider their friends and well-wishers.

And now to conclude: may the GOD of NATURE be graciously pleased (out of the immense treasury of his goodness) to grant original: "vouchsafe" all those—whose good angels direct them to, or have already religiously engaged them in, this mysterious knowledge—the full and entire accomplishments of a true and pious philosopher. [Namely: learning, humility, judgment, courage, hope, patience, discretion, charity, and secrecy.] May this be so that they may enjoy the fruits of their labors, which otherwise will be only vain and unpleasant, and would cause this divine science and the secret itself to be wrongly viewed as contemptible.

Farewell (industrious students), and let your goodness continue to invite me to accomplish the goal I have proposed. In doing so, I trust original: "presume" you may one day consider me better deserving of your support original: "Patronage"; at the very least, your charitable judgment original: "Censure", which is all the reward expected or deserved by him who is

Elias Ashmole.