Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici

This intellect was the eye with which Lynceus is said To have pierced the thickness of great rocks, Seen Pluto upon his throne and learnt what the nymphs do Beneath the azure of the deep ocean: How the precious pearl is produced and grows Within the polished marble of its shining bed, And how coral might be gathered by sailors Like a soft herb attached to the rocks; The intellect that enabled travel by sea as by land, Defence and enlargement of one’s country through war, The building of cities and their fortification, Waiting for an enemy or going out to challenge him.