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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Facing Pages · Branch 223 of 642
Book 5 · Death · Passage 17
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 221
Latin
Mortificatio argenti ut ex eo fiat lazurium, vel illi simile aliquid, ita fit: Laminetur ☽, & cum Mercurio misceatur, & in vitrea olla suspendatur supra acetum praestans, in quo prius auratae coctae sint, & postea in eo soluta sal armoniacum & tartarum calcinatum: in reliquis omnibus age, ut de cerussa dictum est, tunc semper post quatuordecim dies habebis nobilissimum & pulcerrimum lazurium adhaerens laminis argenti, quod pede leporino deterges.
English
To mortify silver into lazurium or something like it, proceed thus. Beat Silver into plates and mix it with Mercury; suspend it in a glass pot above excellent vinegar in which auratae have first been boiled, and in which sal ammoniac and calcined tartar have afterward been dissolved. In every other respect proceed as described for ceruse. After fourteen days you will always have very excellent and beautiful lazurium adhering to the silver plates; wipe it away with a hare’s foot.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 5 · Death · Book 5 · Death · Passage 17
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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 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.