The Hermetic Museum, Vol. II — trans. A. E. Waite (1893)
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The translator’s English as printed (A. E. Waite). The original-language text is not held; names are romanised as the translator printed them.
that Medicine. Vozce: Blessed are you if you do! For the blood of Sulphur is that inward virtue and dryness which congeals quicksilver into gold and imparts health and perfection to all bodies. But the blood of Sulphur is obtained only by those who can deliver him from prison ; and therefore he is so closely imprisoned that he can hardly breathe, lest he should come to the Palace of the King. 4/cezst:; ls he so closely imprisoned in all metals? —J/ozce : In some his imprisonment is less strict than in others. .4ZcZemst: Why, Lord, is he imprisoned in the metals so tyrrannously? oz . Because if he once came unto his royal palace, he would no longer fear his guards. He could look from the windows with freedom, and appear before the whole world, for he would be in his own kingdom, though not in that state of highest power whereto he desires to arrive. 4/cezzst ;: What is his food? — l/ozce : His food is air, in a digested state, when he is free; but in prison he is compelled to consume it in a crude state. A/cLemst ; Master, cannot those quarrels between him and his gaolers be composed? oz: Yes, by a wise and cunning craftsman. Alchemist : Why does he not offer them terms of peace? Voie: He cannot do so by himself: his indignation gets the better of his discretion. 4Zcemzst: Why does he not do so through some commissary ? Joe: He who could put an end to their strife would be a wise man, and worthy of undying honour. For if they were friends, they would help, instead of hindering each other, and bring íorth immortal things. Alchemist : 1 will gladly undertake the duty of reconciling them. For I am a very learned man,and theycould not resist my practical skill I am a great Sage, and my Alchemistic treatment would quickly bring about the desired end. But tell me, is this the true Sulphur of the Sages? Voie: He is Sulphur ; you ought to know whether he is the Sulphur of the Sages Atchemist: lf I find his prison, shall I be able to deliver him ? Voice: Yes, if you are wise enough to do so. [t is easier to deliver him than to find his prison. A4/cAezzzs? ; When I do find him, shall I be able to make him into the Philosopher's Stone? Voice : | am no prophet. But if you follow his mother's advice, and dissolve the Sulphur, you will have the Stone. AZcemzst : In what substance is this Sulphur to be found? — Voze: In all substances. All things in the world— metals, herbs, trees, animals, stones, are its ore. A/cAemzst : But out of what substances do the Sages procure it? Voice; My friend, you press me somewhat too closely. ButI may say that though it is everywhere, yet it has certain palaces where the Sages can most conveniently find it ; and they worship it when it swims in its sea and sports with Vulcan (god of fire), though there it is disguised in a most poor garb. Now is it in a dark prison, hidden from sight. But itis one only subject, and if you cannot find it at home you willscarcely do so in the forest. Yet, to give you some heart in your research, I will solemnly assure you that it is most perfect in gold and silver—most easily obtained in quicksilver.
With these words Saturn departed, and the Alchemist, being weary with walking, fell into a deep sleep, in which he saw the following vision : He beheld in that grove a spring of water, near which Salt and Sulphur were walking and quarrelling, until at last they began to fight. Salt dealt Sulphur a grevious wound, out of which there flowed, instead of blood, pure, milk-white water, that swelled into a great river. In this river the virgin goddess, Diana, came to bathe; and a certain bold prince, who was passing by, was inflamed with great love towards her ; which she, perceiving and returning, pretended to be sinking under water. The prince bade his attendants assist her ; but they excused themselves, saying that the river, though it looked small and all but dried up, was most dangerous. * And," said they, * many of those who have passed here before have perished in it" "Then that prince threw off his thick cloak, plunged into the river, and stretched out his arm to save the beautiful Diana; but she grasped it so convulsively that they both sank under watertogether. Soon afterwards their souls were seen rising upward above the water, and they said, * We have done well, for in no other way could we be delivered from our stained and spotted bodies." Aces: (speaking): Will you ever return into those bodies? .Sou/s: Not while they are so polluted—but when they are cleansed, and the river is dried up by the heat of the sun. .4/cemzsií; What do you do in the meantime? Sous: We soar above the water till the storm and the mists cease. ... "Then the Alchemist thought that he
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