Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
Nine Books on the Nature of Things
A fresh translation from the early Latin text with annotations and study apparatus
Explore the LexiconSwipe or use the arrow keys.
Latin Page · Branch 42 of 642
Book 1 · Generation · Passage 7
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 202–203
Latin
Ita vides de Basilisco, qui etiam est monstrum, & quidem monstrum super omnia monstra, & quo nullum est magis metuendum, propterea quod quemvis hominem solo aspectu & visu occidere possit: quia habet venenum super omnia venena, cui in toto mundo nihil comparari potest: & hoc venenum occultissimo modo gerit in suis oculis, & est imaginatum venenum, non valde absimile mulieri menstruosae, quae etiam occultum venenum gerit in oculis, ita ut solo aspectu ipsius speculum maculas acquirat & inficiatur. Ita etiam si vulnus vel ulcus inspiciat, inficit illud simili modo, & curam eius prohibet: ita etiam suo afflatu, ut visu, multas res inficit, corrumpit & invalidas reddit, & sic tactu. Nam videtis si tractet vinum tempore menstrui, quod illud cito mutetur & pendulum fiat: acetum quod tractat, perit & nihil valet: ita etiam vinum ardens suam vim amittit: similiter zibetha, ambra, muscus, & similia bene olentia ab ipsarum mulierum gestatione & attactu suum odorem amittunt: ita etiam aurum, & coralii suum colorem, etiam multae gemmae, ut specula, inde maculantur, &c. Ut autem ad propositum meum redeam scribendi de Basilisco, qua ratione & quo modo venenum in suo aspectu & oculis gerat, sciendum est, quod istam proprietatem & istud venenum habeat ab impuris mulieribus, ut supra dictum est. Basiliscus enim nascitur & crescit ex maxima impuritate muliebri, nempe ex menstruo, & ex sanguine spermatis, si illud in cucurbita vitrea ponatur, & in ventre equino putrefiat, in qua putrefactione basiliscus nascitur. Quis autem est tam alacer & audax, qui velit eum facere, vel eximere, & rursum interficere, qui non prius se speculis vestiat & muniat? Nemini suaserim, imo omnes hic monitos velim ut sibi caveant.
English
You see this in the basilisk, which is itself a monster—indeed, the monster above all monsters, and the most to be feared, because it can kill any person merely by its look and sight. Its poison surpasses all poisons and has no equal anywhere in the world. It carries that poison in its eyes in the most hidden way; it is an imagined poison, not very unlike a menstruating woman, who also carries a hidden poison in her eyes, so that her mere look stains and infects a mirror. If she looks at a wound or ulcer, she similarly infects it and prevents its cure; with her breath as with her sight she infects, corrupts and weakens many things, and likewise with her touch. You see that if she handles wine during menstruation, it soon changes and becomes ropy; vinegar she handles is spoiled and useless; ardent wine likewise loses its strength. Civet, ambergris, musk and similar fragrant substances lose their scent when carried or touched by such women; gold and coral lose their colour, and many gems, like mirrors, become stained, and so forth. But to return to my intended account of the basilisk and the reason and manner in which it carries poison in its look and eyes: it must be understood that it receives this property and poison from impure women, as stated above. The basilisk is born and grows from the greatest female impurity, namely menstrual matter and the blood of sperm, if it is placed in a glass cucurbit and putrefied in the horse’s belly: in that putrefaction the basilisk is born. But who is so eager and bold as to make it, take it out and kill it again without first clothing and fortifying himself with mirrors? I would advise no one to do so; rather, I wish everyone warned to take care.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 1 · Generation · Book 1 · Generation · Passage 7
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
The complete supplied Latin–English edition of the historical title, dedication and all nine books, with 363 separately labelled historical marginal notes, 117 modern annotations and the complete Diotimos study apparatus. The transmitted composite work is traditionally attributed to Paracelsus; individual authorship remains qualified.
Historical Text and Translation
The normalized Latin follows the complete 1605 Frankfurt Palthenian witness, volume six, printed pages 198–271, in SUB Göttingen PPN578052199, historical scans 182–255. Earlier textual tradition is German; the individual translator of the 1605 Latin text is not identified. The dedication’s 1537 date is transmitted text, not an established date for the composite work.
About Diotimos Editions
This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
Rights
The historical Latin text is in the public domain. The fresh English translation and editorial material were prepared with AI assistance for Diotimos Editions in 2026 and are published with the site owner’s authorization.