Text.Alchemica.1600-01.Z3v
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Source: Nicolaus Solea, Ein Büchlein von dem Bergwergk, ed. Elias Montanus, Zerbst, no printer [Johann Schleer], 1600, sig. Z3v–Z4r = pag. 172–173 [BP.Alchemica.1600-01]
Text
Ad Lectorem.
Non potis Orbis erat Terrarum singula solus
Prændere Diuinum quæ contestantia Numen
Vndique panduntur Mundi Miracula: Vastis
Multa latent vndis; distant & Æthere multa;
Plurima Terra tegit. Sunt quos conscendere in altum,
Illa videre iuuat: Soleas (sua namque voluptas
Quemq́ue trahit) facili demissus ad Ima bacillo
Interiora Soli loca contemplatur; Et actus,
Fossorum dum lustrat iter, dum verbere multo
Quas labor immensus tandem excauat, Ipse fodinas
Munera Naturæ spectatum sæpè frequentat,
Immane est quantum studio profecerit, (ingens
Quippe stupendorum vidit longi Ordinis agmen)
Immane est quantum superas modò vectus ad auras
Vsuræ reparat nostræ. Malè cognita priscis,
Cognita vel nunquam, Rata nostro nec quoque seclo,
Plurima quis dubitat Terræ mysteria? quisnam
(Paucula de multis quæro) quo Terra metallis
Fœta modo? coëmat quo fœcundanda marito?
Quâ quod concipiat Semen matrice? volucrum
Embrî quà virtus? quà mortis imago mineris?
[p. 173] Quà motus veniant? placidæ quà causa quietis?
Quis prior, & paribus docuit rationibus, Autor?
Tùm quotus hinc illinc proprio ut spacientur in aruo?
Nunc Liqueant? Solidi poscant nunc corporis usum?
Spirent? Exspirent? Halent? modo luce coruscent
Æra? Suo ostendit calamo feliciùs? vnus
Hæc Soleas merito potuit signare trophæo,
Non inuisa Bonis Virgultæ Arcana Magistri
Heu longa ingenij luctâ sectantur: at illis
Suspensam eripuit Soleæ labor omnibus herbam.
Hunc nisi quàm verient variantibus actibus Ignes
Attendes, (non vnus erit simul omnibus aptus)
Crede mihi, potiore ignis frustraberis usu.
Adde quòd affectas dum tuta Solaria lymphis,
Fit specus aduersum, ruituro flumine prægnans:
Cominùs huic magni est, obstetricare, pericli
Ausus; Cui vitam non mox malè gratus ademit
Exclusus fœtus? Soleam si consulis Illo
Liber eris: Vitam Soleas cùm fœnore seruat.
Cætera quis referet, Sophiæ condigna Labore,
Digna Metallurgῶn conatibus? Ipsa loquentur.
Speratis, Næ, Lector, habes Maiora, libellum
Si Tibi quo videas oculus, quæué Audiat Auris;
Si Tibi qui Soleæ Genius secreta favebit.
Modern English Raw Translation
To the Reader.
The world could not alone grasp each of the divine testimonies that proclaim the presence of the Divine, which are unfolded everywhere as the wonders of the world: Many things lie hidden in vast waves; many are distant in the ether; the Earth covers many things. There are those whom it pleases to ascend high, to see those things: SOLEAS (for his own pleasure draws each one) with an easily lowered staff contemplates the inner places of the Earth; And driven, while he explores the path of the miners, while with much effort he excavates what immense labor finally uncovers, he himself often visits the mines, the gifts of Nature, to observe. It is immense how much he has advanced in his study, (for indeed he has seen a long procession of marvelous things), it is immense how much now carried aloft to the upper airs he restores for our use. Poorly understood by the ancients, never known, or even in our own age not accepted, who doubts the many mysteries of the Earth? who (I ask of many) in what way is the Earth pregnant with metals? By what husband must it be fertilized? By what seed in its womb does it conceive? What is the power of the seed of birds? What is the image of the miner's death? From where do movements come? What is the cause of calm rest? Who first, and with equal reasons, was the teacher? Then how from here and there in their own field might they spread out? Now melt? Now demand the use of a solid body? Breathe? Exhale? Emit a scent? Now shine with light do the metals? Who has shown this more fortunately with his pen? Soleas alone could rightly mark these with a trophy, The arcane mysteries of the Good Shepherd's twig are not unpleasing. Alas, with a long struggle of the mind they pursue: but to them SOLEAS has snatched away the hanging herb from all. Unless you observe him as the fires change with varying actions, (not one will be suitable for all at the same time), believe me, you will be frustrated with the better use of fire. Add that while you attempt safe solar works with waters, a cave is formed against it, pregnant with a flowing stream: It is a great risk to aid this closely; to whom did not soon ungratefully take away life the excluded fetus? If you consult SOLEAS by that, you will be free: SOLEAS saves life with interest. Who will recount the rest, worthy of the Labor of Wisdom, Worthy of the efforts of Metallurgists? They themselves will speak. You have greater things than hoped for, dear Reader, if you have a book by which you might see with your eyes, or hear with your ear; If the Genius of SOLEAS will favor you with secrets.
Johann Hartig from Silesia