Dedication, no date (1568), Gerhard Dorn to Friedrich III., Kurfürst von der Pfalz (BP.Dorn.1568-01)
| Author: | Gerhard Dorn |
| Recipient: | Friedrich III., Kurfürst von der Pfalz |
| Type: | Dedication |
| Date: | no date [1568] |
| Pages: | 4 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=2662 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Gerhard Dorn, Chymisticum artificium naturae, no place, no printer [Basel: Thomas Guarin] 1568, sig. A2r–A3v [BP.Dorn.1568-01]
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| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | Dorn metaphorically presents his work as a fledgling bird that he sends out into the world despite threats from detractors. He suggests that his work may seem unworthy due to its tattered appearance and style, but emphasizes the importance of the truths it contains. Dorn believes these truths align with natural principles and hopes that they could lead to significant advancements, such as in the field of medicine. Despite anticipating criticism, he hopes Prince Frederick will protect and support his work because of its dedication to exploring natural laws and the pursuit of truth. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[sig. A2r] Illvstrissimo Principi Friderico, superioris & inferioris Bauariæ Duci, Rheniq́ue Palatino Comiti, Salus.
Cvm postremum huic opusculo punctum inscriberem, Princeps Illustrissime, palliatorum maxima caterua minitantium eminùs apparuit. Ego mox, nunquid oriente Sole nocturnæ disparent laruæ? Laceratis & seminuda vestibus statim astitit veritas, occurenti mihi, quid hæsitas, inquit? At ego, hanc implumen auiculam nido suo dimittere. Quæ, Modò habeat alas, non est, quod cur es etsi reliquum corporis nudum foret. Vbi sunt, quos antea minas tibi videras inferentes? Euanuerunt, inquam. Non aliàs (ait) e- [sig. A2v] ueniet, si modò feceris, quod iniunxero. Plurimi sunt in Germania mihi Principes, qui laceras vestes non dedignati meas, ornatum vilibus hac tempestate rebus adijci consuetum, non aspiciunt: quos inter ille Palatinus Fridericus omni scientiarum genere peritissimus existit. Ad hunc auiculæ tuæ volatum dirigas: non eijciet foras: imo fouebit potius, atque defendet. Interim aui plumæ supercreuerint, vt alias inter comparere non erubescat. Animum dedit hæc, Princeps excellentissime, quò qualecumque sit opusculum hoc, Celsitudini tuæ dedicare fuerim ausus: siue bene, siue malè, huius consilio factum esse iudicet. Stylum si respicere licet, indignum est opus, vt ad tantas manus veniat: sed ob materiæ, quam continet, excellentiam, ac veritatis tractationem, certò scio T[uae] C[elsitudinis] illud non reiecturam. Talia sunt enim, [sig. A3r] quæ sub eius nomine data sunt in lucem, vt quoties cupieris, ad oculum demonstrare paratus sim. Naturæ limites non transgrediuntur: vt illa, quæ de metallorum vulgarium transmutatione disserunt. Metalli compositionem natura nunquam excessit. Verùm introducta forma rebus ab ipsa compositis, cessat eius in illis generationis motus. Quapropter Elixirum artifices naturam in hoc magisterio non imitari, sed potiùs excellere conantur. Sat mihi fuerit, si quo modo possim in his, quæ medicam artem concernunt, eius verstigia sequi, non præterire. Apud Aegyptios antiquissimi Philosophi Medici naturalium operationum diligentissimi fuerunt obseruatores: at recentes naturam contemnunt, vt hominum pertinacissimè sectentur somnia. Quo fit, vt isti, quod lade dignum sit, parum, aut nihil efficiant: [sig. A3v] illi verò, quæ miraculum æquarent, indies ædebant. Hinc à me factum est, quod naturam temerë satis nudauerim, saltem vt è millibus vnum ad eam imitandam exhorter. Eius interim, & opusculi nostri tutelam suscipere digneris, fœlicissime Princeps: terq́ue quaterq́ue beatus viue Nestoris annos, & vale.
Illustriss[imi] C[elsitudinis] T[uae] Seruulus,
Gerardus Dorn.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 29 June 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 the most illustrious Prince Frederick, Duke of Upper and Lower Bavaria, Count Palatine of the Rhine, greetings.
As I was inscribing the final point to this little work, Most Illustrious Prince, a large crowd of detractors appeared threatening from afar. I immediately wondered, do the specters of the night disappear with the rising sun? Truth, in tattered and semi-naked clothes, immediately stood before me, asking, why are you hesitating? But I am to send this fledgling bird from its nest, I replied. If it has wings, there is no reason for concern, even if the rest of its body was naked. Where are those who you saw threatening you before? They have disappeared, I say. The same will happen again, she says, if you do as I instruct. There are many Princes in Germany who do not disdain my torn clothes, and do not see the decoration usually added in these difficult times with worthless things: among them, Frederick the Palatine is known to be most learned in all types of knowledge. Direct the flight of your little bird towards him: he will not cast it out: rather, he will nurture and protect it. In the meantime, may the feathers of the bird grow, so it will not be ashamed to appear among others.
This, Most Excellent Prince, is why I dared to dedicate this little work, whatever its quality, to Your Highness: whether it is good or bad, judge that it was done by this advice. If one looks at the style, it is a work unworthy of reaching such important hands: but because of the excellence of the subject it contains, and the treatment of truth, I am certain Your Highness will not reject it. Such things are brought to light under its name, that whenever you wish, I am ready to demonstrate to the eye. They do not exceed the limits of nature: as those who discuss the transmutation of common metals. The composition of metals has never been surpassed by nature. But when a form is introduced into things composed by it, its movement of generation in them stops. Therefore, the makers of the Elixir strive not to imitate nature in this mastery, but rather to surpass it.
It would be enough for me if I can follow, not overtake, its footsteps in these matters concerning the medical art. The most ancient Egyptian Philosophers who were Doctors were diligent observers of natural operations: but the recent ones despise nature, to stubbornly pursue the dreams of men. As a result, these people achieve little or nothing worthy of praise, while the others performed miracles every day. This is why I have rather rashly revealed nature, at least to exhort one in a thousand to imitate it. In the meantime, Most Fortunate Prince, deign to undertake the protection of it and our little work: live and thrive for many happy years like Nestor, and farewell.
Your Highness' Most Illustrious Servant,
Gerardus Dorn.
