Text.Duclo.1598-01.!6v/Translation

To the Reader

Bernard G. Penot's preface from Port Saint Mary of Aquitaine, in which he shows that the entire power and effectiveness of the art consist in two words.

There is no need, dear reader, to revisit those long-discussed questions about whether the Art of transmutation is true: since last year, I have sufficiently and abundantly proved it with the testimonies and authorities of the most serious men, as there are many books published on this subject. Therefore, I refer the readers to that preface, which not long ago, was prefixed to the Dialogue between Nature and the son of philosophy. It would indeed be ridiculous to repeat myself now: since the author of this book, Duclo, arguing against Thomas Erastus and solidly refuting all his arguments with the strongest reasons, demonstrations, (add also certain experiments) shows and confirms that the Art is true, certain, and easy. Therefore, if you wish the truth of the Art to be proven to you through authorities and examples (Reader), go through this book of Duclo. But before you begin to operate, wisely consider the causes of natural things, or do not attempt it. The careless, at first glance at this book, will be entangled. You (dear reader), with great judgment, read, reread, pray, work: and the God of Mysteries will have mercy on you. I do not want you to be unaware of this one thing, that all the power and effectiveness of the entire art consist in two words, namely, Solve and Coagula.

The solution is twofold. The former dissolves bodies into Mercury, which is done by Mercury, and is found in the particulars, which the author of this book follows. The latter into Mercurial water, This pertains to the universal work. And it is a certain transmutation of metallic bodies into their first matter. Which the learned author of this work denies can be done, and that the spirits of minerals can be fixed with perfect bodies, contradicting Raimundus Lullus, calling it impossible. I do not follow his opinion: On the contrary: I prove the opposite with the authorities of many men of this Art. For Geber, in the third Part of the Perfect Magistery, chapter 32 on Gold (he says) Gold is also the most precious of Metals, and is the tincture of redness, because it tints, and transmutes every body, is calcined and dissolved with benefit and without benefit, and is a medicine that gladdens and preserves the body in youth. It is easily broken with Mercury: & ground with the odor of Saturn. Jupiter & Moon agree with it in substance. In weight & decay, Saturn. but finally Mars. And it is one of the greatest secrets of nature. With it likewise are mixed spirits, & fixed through it with great ingenuity, which does not reach the craftsman of hard neck & chest. Thus Geber. From the Philosophical Ladder, Spirits are frozen by the benefit of the dissolution of fixed nature, & body, & their mixture, with quicksilver: And another. Therefore, fix the earth, & water, so that air can be fixed in water: because if you have killed the water well, you have killed all the elements, & they are dead. So far. Read more about these in the book titled "The Seven Keys of the Art," which I will someday publish: along with a treatise on mercurial waters, by which any metals are reduced to running mercury: if the Eternal God Most Good wills us to survive. In the meantime (Kind reader) enjoy & Farewell: And favor our nocturnal labors.

Here or nowhere is what we seek

Fear God and love thy neighbor