The General Great Art

By Laurentius Theobaldus of Le Mans regarding the doc-

trines of this art devised by Ramon Llull—a man skilled in

no language or art except by divine inspiration:

an epigram addressed to the reader.

What harvest does this little book hold for you, O refined reader,
Though the honor of the agate The agate was often associated with protection and value in the Renaissance; here it suggests that even a small or rare thing can be precious. be slender and rare.
It explains here what the chorus of doctors—the very pattern of Pallas Pallas Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom.—
Did not reveal in the bright schools of Athens.
What neither our ancient age nor our own era knew better:
Llull gave this ethereal art from heaven.
Whatever Aristotle held, whatever famous
Greece weighed, whatever King Croesus Known for his legendary wealth; here used to suggest the "wealth" of worldly knowledge. or the Sorbonne The famous theological college of the University of Paris. possesses.
With an easy genius he penetrated to the heavenly axes The poles of the celestial spheres or the heavens themselves.
And through pure virtue completed this great work.
If rash Icarus had skimmed the lowest seas
With his wings, he would have fallen then into the icy waters.
And because he desired to see the starry seats,
He was cast down when the sun's help was withdrawn.
Llull turned his flights from the middle to the depths,
And yet the sea does not hold the man, for his heights are secure.
Among the heaps of books, O refined reader (for he holds the
Trophies), be wise and choose this work.

A chained poem original: concathenatum Carmen; a poetic form where the end of one phrase or line is repeated at the start of the next. concerning the work.

The work touches upon mystical things / but the work which touches upon mystical things
Lays down a great burden / but the burden which it lays down:
Seeks out wide baths A metaphor for spiritual or intellectual cleansing and purification.: or the work which touches upon mystical things.

You strike the myriad forms, O Muse of many shapes:
Choerilus does not easily sow simple things among the wise. original: μυριδια τας τυππεις αυθις πολυειδια μουσα: / ουκ ευσπειρει απλους Χαιριλος αμφι σοφων. This Greek couplet suggests that the wisdom contained herein is complex and multi-faceted, not meant for the simple-minded.