Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
A New Light of Alchemy
With the Dialogue of Mercury and the Treatise of Sulphur
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Latin Page · Branch 70 of 204
Parable · Passage 1
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1606 pp. 153–155
Latin
Sequitur parabola seu aenigma Philosophicum, coronidis et superadditamenti loco adiunctum.
Evenit aliquando, cum per tot annos vitae meae navigarem a polo arctico ad polum antarcticum, ut singulari Dei nutu eiicerer ad littus magni cuiusdam maris: et licet maris illius mundi aditus et proprietates optime cognitas et perspectas haberem, nihilominus inscius fui, an etiam in illis oris generaretur pisciculus ille Echeneis, quem tot magnae et parvae conditionis homines hactenus tam sollicite quaesierunt. Dum autem in littore Melosynas hinc inde natantes cum Nymphis conspicio, fessus etiam a praecedentibus laboribus, et cogitationibus variis gravatus, ab aquarum murmure somno corripior: et dum suaviter obdormisco, occurrit mihi in somnis visio mirabilis: video e mari nostro venerandae canitiei senem Neptunum cum tridente egredientem, qui me post amicam salutationem in insulam deducit amoenissimam. Haec insula pulcherrima versus austrum sita erat, ac rebus omnibus ad hominis necessitatem, et ad eiusdem delicias spectantes refertissima: Virgilii campus Elysius vix cum illa potuisset comparari. Totum insulae littus, undique virentibus myrtis, cupressis ac rore marino cinctum erat. Prata virentia variegatis floribus tecta, iucundissimo aspectu, suavissime redolebant. Colles vineis, oleis et cedris miro modo decorati erant. Nemora arantiorum et limoniorum arboribus referta: viae publicae laurorum ac granatorum arboribus singulari artificio intertextis, utrinque consitae, gratissimam peregrinantibus praebebant umbram. Ut paucis dicam, quicquid in toto mundo est, ibidem videbatur: inter ambulandum monstrabantur mihi a dicto Neptuno sub aliqua rupe latentes duae illius insulae minerae auri et chalybis.
English
Parable or Philosophical Enigma Added as a Crowning Supplement
Once, during the many years of my life spent sailing from the Arctic to the Antarctic pole, it happened by God’s special direction that I was cast upon the shore of a certain great sea. Although I knew and understood very well the approaches and properties of that sea of the world, I did not know whether the little fish Echeneis was also generated on those shores—the fish that so many people of high and low condition have sought so anxiously until now. While on the shore I watched Melusines swimming here and there with nymphs, I was weary from my earlier labours and burdened by many thoughts. The murmur of the waters carried me into sleep. As I slept sweetly, a marvellous vision met me in a dream. I saw old Neptune, with venerable white hair and a trident, coming out of our sea. After a friendly greeting, he led me to a most delightful island. This beautiful island lay toward the south and was richly supplied with everything needed for human life and pleasure. Virgil’s Elysian field could scarcely have compared with it. The whole shore was surrounded on every side by green myrtles, cypresses, and rosemary. Green meadows covered in many-coloured flowers, most pleasing to see, gave off the sweetest scent. The hills were wonderfully adorned with vines, olive trees, and cedars. The groves were full of orange and lemon trees. The public ways, planted on both sides with laurel and pomegranate trees interwoven with singular art, offered travellers most welcome shade. To speak briefly, whatever exists in the whole world could be seen there. As we walked, Neptune showed me two ores of the island hidden beneath a rock: gold and chalybs.
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Reading A New Light of Alchemy · Parable · Parable · Passage 1
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
The complete supplied Latin–English edition of the Twelve Treatises, Epilogue, Enigma, Parable, Dialogue of Mercury and Treatise of Sulphur, with original preliminaries, John French’s historical English address and its separately labelled modernisation, 101 annotations and the complete study apparatus.
Historical Text and Translation
The Twelve Treatises and their concluding texts follow the selected 1606 Herzog August Bibliothek witness. The Dialogue uses the 1607 Cologne printing; the author’s preface and Alsted epigram use Frankfurt 1611. Sulphur uses the 1616 Munich and Rome witnesses. John French’s 1650 address is separately identified as historical English reception.
About Diotimos Editions
This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
Rights
The historical Latin texts and John French’s 1650 English address are in the public domain. The new translation, modernisation and editorial apparatus were prepared with AI assistance for Diotimos Editions in 2026 and are published with the site owner’s authorization.