Poem 2, no date (1571), Wilhelm Xylander to Thomas Erastus (BP.Erastus.1571-01)
| Author: | Wilhelm Xylander |
| Recipient: | Thomas Erastus |
| Type: | Poem |
| Date: | no date [1571] |
| Pages: | 3 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=2755 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Thomas Erastus, Disputationum de medicina nova Philippi Paracelsi pars prima, Basel: Pietro Perna [1571], sig. β2v-β3v [BP.Erastus.1571-01]
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| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | The poem critiques Paracelsus for his arrogant claims in the realm of medicine, where he considers himself superior to notable figures like Galen and Hippocrates. Paracelsus is also reproached for his blasphemous remarks about God, indicative of an attempt to replace established religious norms with a new doctrine. The text warns about the potentially destructive impact of his theories, not only within the medical field, but also in theological discourse. Erastus is lauded for his efforts to debunk Paracelsus' controversial assertions, backed by divine support. The poem concludes with an appeal to discerning and devout readers to repudiate such egotistical posturing. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[sig. β2v] Lectori S[alutem].
Dvm medicis multum sese præster Galeno
Artibus, antiquo iactat & Hippocrati,
Et sectatores tumidè deridet eorim,
Ac mira cupidis se nouitate probat.
Ne non insolito misceret cuncta tumultu
Neu quis eum fors non crederet esse svvm
Ne non concuteret totum temerarius orbem,
Néue quid intactum linqueret ipse sibi:
Tanquam deuictis plane mortalibus, audax
In uerum euomuit dicta nefanda Devm
Siue is Bombastus tibi, seu Paracelsus habetur.
Barbarus hic castis an Theophrastus erit?
Quòd si quâ Theophrastus erit, fuit & Theodorus:
Nomine, qui nullum diceret esse Deum)
Definite Aureolo uictos iactare Galenos,
Atque Philippeo fixa trophœa stylo.
Men’ etiam uestros uultis cantare triumphos,
Et pœana modis concelebrare meis.
Quem uestræ legere ducem (ne frende) cohortes,
Vos in sulphureas præcipitabit aquas,
Ni sapitis: semper placuit Resipiscere, nunquam
Pœnituit serò, quem modò pœnituit.
Scilicet ut fatuum medicina nouata per orbem
Regnet, inauditæ tetra chimæra notæ:
Relligione noua solium stabilire libebat,
Aureolusq́ue Deum proijcere ante pedes
Captiuum, ephestri fœda uictumq́ue catena?
(Ò pietas, numen, tempora, sacra, fides.)
Sistentur manibus uates post terga reuinctis,
Et cœtus, quantus quantus, apostolicus.
Ilicet, ad magicas prorumpimus, ilicet, artes,
Hæc ipsi Sathanæ uerba tremenda sonant.
[sig. β3r] Iam non de nihilo Deus ingentem creat orbem,
Nunc autore caret, principioq́ue chaos.
Nunc & noticias ueri, perfectaq́ue sensa
Debemus magiæ, sideribus, Satanæ.
Editaq́ue à Christi miracula numine sancto
Signaq́ue uel genijs non imitanda bonis:
Præstabit medici famosus nominis hostis
Adq́ue imposturas natus agyrta leues.
Fascinus, ut uana deludit imagine quenque
Nugarum ingenti quippe ualebit ope.
Iam tempestates casto deducere cœlo,
Naturam poterit uiq́ue domare magus.
His adiunge notas fatali in puluere scriptas,
Huc exta oscinibus mixta uolatilibus.
Et cœli rigidas in fata perennia uires,
Pendeat hinc quæuis utpote relligio.
Cuncta cadant & cuncta exstent dominantibus astris.
In superis lateat prorsus & omnes polis.
Cætera dicturum gelidus subitò occupat horror.
An ne nouos memorem sanus Adamigenas?
Aut ut uirgineis demens ex artubus artus
Te neget omnipotens Christe tulisse tuos?
Aut te mortalis uelamine carnis amictum
Lethum pro nobis oppetijsse neget?
Denique dum proprio rediuiuos corpore quenque
Diuina fore nos inficiatur ope:
Quis ferat hæc? non in medicas certè impetus artes
Definit, in uerum proruit iste Devm.
Quantumuis placidas iusta indignatio mentes
Estimulat, ueri uersat amorq́ue Dei.
Non tulit hæc (mansueto, ut quisquam, pectore:) Erastus,
Huic operæprecium recta monere fuit.
Nullæ illam curæ, nulli impediere labores,
Non studium uulgi, non metus inuidiæ.
[sig. β3v] Rem totam doctis sapienter pandere chartis
Instituit: cœptis fauit Iehoua pijs.
Qui sapit, & fido pietatis amore tenetur.
Nec probat os fatuis mos quibus oblinere est.
Hæc leget, & casto perpendens omnia corde.
In stercus uani despuet Aureoli.
Xylander.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 11 July 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.
Greetings to the Reader,
While he dedicates much of himself to the medical arts, exceeding Galen and boasting of the ancient Hippocrates, he arrogantly mocks their followers and tries to make himself impressive with his surprising innovations. In his audacity, as if he had conquered mortals completely, he dared to utter blasphemous statements about the true God. Regardless of whether you consider him to be Bombastus or Paracelsus, will this uncivilized person ever be considered pure by Theophrastus?
And if Theophrastus exists, so did Theodorus, who claimed that there is no God. He is proud of his triumph over Galen, his achievements solidified by Philippus Aureolus' stylus. Even if you wish to sing of your triumphs and celebrate my punishments in your way, whoever you choose as your leader (don't grind your teeth in anger) will lead you into the sulphurous waters, unless you become wise. It's always better to reflect and repent, regret is never too late for those who feel it now.
Indeed, it seems he would allow his new form of medicine to rule the world, like a frightful chimera of unheard fame, he desired to establish a new religion and cast God down before the feet of Aureolus. Would he defeat and shackle God with an Ephesian chain? Oh, the piety, the divine, the times, the holy, the faith.
The prophets will be held back with their hands bound, as will the apostolic group, as large as it may be. Immediately, we burst into magic arts, these are the terrible words of Satan himself. Now, God no longer creates a vast world from nothing, now the chaos lacks an author and a beginning. Now, even our knowledge of truth and our perfect senses owe to magic, the stars, and Satan.
Even the miracles performed by Christ through holy divine power and the signs that are not to be imitated even by good spirits, will be surpassed by the enemy of the famous name of medicine, and the petty deceits of a born trickster. A charm, as it deceives everyone with its vain image, will indeed be powerful with the great help of trifles.
Soon, the magician will be able to draw down storms from the pure sky and overcome nature with his force. Add to this signs written in fatal dust, add sacrificial entrails mixed with birds. And let any religion depend on the fixed forces of the sky. Let everything fall and everything be established by the dominating stars. Let everything completely hide in the heavens and all the poles.
Suddenly, a cold horror takes hold of me, should I, in good health, mention the new sons of Adam? Or that he, in his madness, denies that you, Almighty Christ, have taken your limbs from the virgin? Or does he deny that you have clothed yourself in the mortal garment of flesh and have sought death for us? Ultimately, while he denies that we will be revived in our own bodies through divine power, who can endure this? Certainly, this attack doesn't end in medical arts, it's directly aimed at the true God.
However much righteous indignation stimulates peaceful minds, the love of truth and God turns it. Erastus, who had the gentlest heart anyone could have, could not endure this. It was his worthwhile task to correct this. No care, no work hindered him, neither the desire for public approval, nor the fear of envy. He decided to wisely reveal the whole matter in learned papers. Jehovah favored his pious beginnings.
Whoever is wise, and is held by the faithful love of piety, and does not approve of the practice of smearing the mouth on the foolish, will read this, and considering everything with a pure heart, will spit out the vanity of Aureolus into dung.
