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
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Latin Page · Branch 206 of 642
Book 5 · Death · Passage 10
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 219
Latin
Porro dicemus & de viridi aeris, quod Alchymiae dedicavimus. Eius autem praeparatio & processus talis est: Lamina tenuissime cuprum, quod cum sale, sulphure & tartaro ana tritis & mixtis stratifica in tigillo magno: postea reverbera viginti quatuor horis forti igne, ita tamen ne fluant laminae cupri, postea exime, tigillum frange, laminas cum adhaerente materia aeri expone aliquot diebus, & convertetur materia in laminis in pulcerrimum viride aeris, quod in omnibus aquis fortibus, aquis gradationum, & in cementis & auri colorationibus aurum & argentum alto colore tingit.
English
Let us now speak of the verdigris assigned to alchemy. Its preparation and process are as follows. Beat copper into extremely thin plates and layer it in a large crucible with equal portions of salt, sulphur and tartar, ground and mixed. Reverberate in a strong fire for twenty-four hours, yet do not allow the copper plates to melt. Remove it, break the crucible and expose the plates with the adhering material to air for a few days. The material on the plates will become very fine verdigris, which in all aquae fortes, waters of gradation, cements and colourings of gold tinges gold and silver with a deep colour.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 5 · Death · Book 5 · Death · Passage 10
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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.