Poem, (1602), Albert Hageman to Johann Thölde
| Author: | A. H. V. S. [Albert Hageman] |
| Recipient: | Johann Thölde |
| Type: | Poem |
| Date: | [1602] |
| Pages: | 1 |
| Language: | German |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=5821 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Basilius Valentinus, Ein kurtzer summarischer Tractat. Von dem grossen Stein der vhralten, ed. Johann Thölde, Johann Schleer (Zerbst) for Jacob Apel (Leipzig) 1602, sig. A5r-A5v [BP.BasVal.1602-01]
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| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | This poem is both a commendation of Thölde's work in alchemy and a critique of contemporary scholarly practices. The poem praises Thölde, referred to as Janus, for his dedication to making alchemical knowledge accessible and beneficial to a wider audience. It highlights his ability to explain complex alchemical concepts in a clear and logical manner, akin to a bee carefully organizing its treasures. This approach is contrasted with the behavior of some contemporary scholars, who are criticized for their pretentiousness and lack of substance. These scholars are likened to donkeys disguised as majestic horses, indicating their superficiality and lack of genuine expertise. The poem also condemns a particular individual from Leipzig for his blasphemous treatment of sacred religious mysteries, particularly his profanation of the Christian Trinity. This individual is accused of misrepresenting religious texts and symbols to falsely teach about the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary alchemical substance believed to transmute base metals into gold. The author mocks the notion of the Philosopher's Stone as a creation of philosophers, suggesting it is either a divine entity or a non-existent concept predating the creation of the world. The poem concludes by encouraging Thölde to continue his scholarly pursuits, extracting wisdom from ancient texts and revealing it to virtuous men. The author expresses confidence that Thölde's sincere and valuable contributions to knowledge will earn him lasting gratitude and fame from future generations. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
| Back to Paratexts Back to Texts by Albert Hageman |
[sig. A5r] Ad Iohannem Tholden Senatorem Francohusanum, amicum suum carissimum.
An non Iane tibi meritò, quod Chymica tractas,
Gratuler? & cunctis utilis esse cupis?
Chymica quod tractas, sic ut cognoscere possit
Quid lucri capiat quilibet inde sibi.
Nec te pænituit Monachi volvisse[v1] libellos,
Ex quibus hoc mira colligis arte bonum.
Atq́ue ut Apis, lectos thesauros ordine promis,
Perspicuis verbis & ratione doces.
Non facis, ut qui nunc titulo Doctoris inertes,
Bucephalos simulant dissimulant asinos.
Nec facis, ut fecit blasphemus Lipsicus audax,
Mystica qui Triados sacra prophana facit.
Articulosq́ue sacræ fidei, sacra Symbola, Psalmos
Mentitur Lapidem ritè docere suum.
Hunc lapidem quem finxerunt sibi Philosophorum,
Aurum qui Midae protinus efficiat
A Eternus Lógos[v2] est, aut sanctus Spiritus ille,
Aut Pater, aut Nihil hoc, quid fuit ante Chaos
Hunc si quis teneat, montes auri generabit
Regibus antiquis ditior & melior.
Mendici interea, qui nil habuere ciborum,
Quam nisi quod mendax lingua dolis peperit.
[sig. A4v] Hoc genus ex cætu[v3] Christi respublica Christi
Exigat, ex populis ultio dia Dei.
Hoc genus ut fumos vendit, sic fumea flamma
Sublimet, Suêviæ vel nova furca Ducis,
Tu pergas veterum doctis depromere chartas
Atq́ue ignota bonis pandere scripta viris.
Sic tibi pro grato nascetur gratia facto:
Gloria sic gratæ posteritatis eris.
Apparatus
Variants
Notes
- ↑ "Albertus Hagenmon Vlsensis" (i.e. from Uelzen?) was enrolled in 1546 at the University of Wittenberg and as "Albertus Hageman Olsensis" (i.e. from Oels) at the University of Leipzig in 1548.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 11 January 2023. Attention: This translation is a machine translation by artificial intelligence. The translation has not been checked and should not be cited without additional human verification.
To Johann Thölde, Senator of Frankenhäuser, my dearest friend.
Is it not right for me to congratulate you, Janus, for your involvement in alchemy, and your desire to be useful to everyone? You handle alchemy in such a way that it allows anyone to understand what personal gain they can derive from it. You did not regret studying the works of monks, from which you have gathered this good with amazing skill. Like a bee, you orderly present the treasures you have chosen, teaching with clear words and logic.
You do not act like those who now, under the guise of being Doctors, are actually lazy, pretending to be something grand while actually being donkeys in disguise. Nor do you act like the blasphemous and daring man from Leipzig, who profanes the sacred mysteries of the Trinity, falsely claiming that the articles of holy faith, sacred symbols, and Psalms teach about his own version of the Philosopher's Stone. This stone, which the philosophers have concocted for themselves, supposedly turns everything to gold instantly, like Midas' touch.
This stone is either the Eternal Logos, the Holy Spirit, the Father, or it is Nothing, what existed before Chaos. Whoever possesses this stone will generate mountains of gold, becoming richer and better than the ancient kings. Meanwhile, beggars, who have nothing to eat except for what their deceitful tongues produce through tricks, should be expelled from the Christian community and face divine wrath.
As these people sell smoke, so let them be sublimated by smoky flames or by the new gallows of the Duke of Swabia. You, however, should continue to extract knowledge from the writings of the ancients and reveal unknown writings to good men. In this way, gratitude will grow for your grateful deed, and you will become the glory of grateful posterity.
