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.
English Page · Branch 197 of 642
Book 5 · Death · Passage 7
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 218
Latin
Mortificatio vero cupri, ut illud scilicet redigatur in vitriolum viride aeris, vel aes ustum, etiam variis modis fieri potest: & sunt varii processus in hoc, attamen unus longe melior altero, unus utilior altero. Quare opus erit optimos & utilissimos hic annotare, & reliquos reticere. Optimus igitur, facillimus & utilissimus modus cuprum in vitriolum redigendi est: Illinantur laminae cupri aqua salis aut salis petrae & suspendantur vel ponantur in aere, donec laminae incipiant virescere, quod quidem cito fit, hanc viriditatem elue aqua clara fontana, laminas sicca panno aliquo, & iterum inunge aqua salis, vel salis petrae & iterum fac ut antea, tamdiu donec aqua plane viridis fiat vel multum vitrioli in superficie emittat: tunc aquam inclinando remove vel exhalando, & habebis nobile vitriolum ad medicinam. In Alchymia non est pulcrius, nobilius vel melius vitriolum, quam quod fit per aquam fortem, aut aquam regis, aut aquam salis armoniaci. Proceditur autem ita: Inungantur laminae cupri una ex dictis aquis, & quam primum viriditas extracta fuerit, & laminae siccae fuerint, viriditas pede leporino, aut alia ratione pro libitu dematur, ut cerussa de laminis plumbi raditur: iterum inungantur ut antea, donec laminae prorsus consumantur, inde fit vitriolum pulcerrimum, ut non possis non mirari.
English
Copper can likewise be mortified in various ways, reducing it to vitriol, verdigris or burnt copper. There are different processes, yet one is much better and more useful than another. We must therefore record the best and most useful and leave the rest unspoken. The best, easiest and most useful way to reduce copper to vitriol is this. Anoint copper plates with water of salt or saltpetre, and hang or place them in air until they begin to turn green, which soon happens. Wash this greenness off with clear spring water, dry the plates with a cloth and anoint them again with water of salt or saltpetre. Repeat until the water becomes entirely green or produces much vitriol on its surface. Remove the water by decanting or evaporation, and you will have excellent vitriol for medicine. In alchemy no vitriol is finer, more excellent or better than that made through aqua fortis, aqua regis or water of sal ammoniac. Proceed as follows. Anoint copper plates with one of those waters. As soon as the greenness has been drawn out and the plates are dry, remove the greenness with a hare’s foot, or by another method you choose, as ceruse is scraped from lead plates. Anoint them again as before until they are entirely consumed. A very beautiful vitriol results, which cannot fail to astonish you.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 5 · Death · Book 5 · Death · 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.