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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Attributed to Abraham the Jew

The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume I

Book of Hieroglyphic Figures

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The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume IFables and the Philosophical Work · Manuscript 21r · Scan 61

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English Page · Branch 54 of 351

Fables and the Philosophical Work · Manuscript 21r · Scan 61

French

Ms. 21r

en un combat si douteux, il consulte Médée très expérimentée dans la médecine qui lui donne un breuvage contre ces taureaux et qui lui conseilla pour le garantir d’un pas si périlleux d’éviter leur haleine mortelle et enfin lui donna un suc soporatif afin qu’il remportât une victoire signalée sur ce dragon vigilant et commis pour garder la Toison d’or, après l’avoir assoupi.

On place les travaux d’Hercule, les combats de Persée et les entreprises de Jason, et les autres actions éclatantes de ces héros à la tête des combats les plus remarquables et les plus dignes de mémoire dont ait parlé la fabuleuse antiquité. Leurs armes, leurs prudents conseils, leur bravoure et leur générosité accompagnée de plusieurs circonstances, nous découvriront tellement la vérité, qui, jusqu’ici a été cachée sous l’écorce ridée et défectueuse de la fable, que nous n’omettrons rien de ce qui regarde leur entière explication, afin qu’on reconnaisse que nous n’avons rien plus à cœur que de voir un chacun se servir avec profit et ne pas abuser témérairement de si grands secrets de la nature dont la connaissance que nous avons acquise nous a coûté tant de peine.

Si Hercule, dans les triomphes qu’il a remportés sur

Ms. 21r

The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume I: Fables and the Philosophical Work

Ms. 21r

so uncertain a combat, he consults Medea, highly experienced in medicine. She gives him a draught against these bulls and, to protect him from so perilous an undertaking, advises him to avoid their deadly breath. Finally she gives him a sleep-inducing juice so that, after putting it to sleep, he may win a notable victory over the watchful dragon appointed to guard the Golden Fleece.

The labors of Hercules, the combats of Perseus, the enterprises of Jason, and the other brilliant actions of these heroes are ranked foremost among the most remarkable and memorable combats spoken of by fabulous antiquity. Their weapons, prudent counsels, valor, and generosity, together with several accompanying circumstances, will so disclose to us the truth hitherto hidden beneath the wrinkled and defective bark of fable that we shall omit nothing concerning their full explanation. Thus it may be recognized that nothing lies nearer our hearts than to see everyone profit from these great secrets of nature, without recklessly abusing them—secrets whose knowledge has cost us so much labor to acquire.

If Hercules, in the triumphs he has won over

Ms. 21r

About This Reading Edition

The first manuscript in the Manly Palmer Hall collection at the Getty Research Institute: the Book of Hieroglyphic Figures, presented in French and English with 463 explanatory notes, 13 manuscript plates, 25 source details, an introduction, chapter outline, glossary, bibliography, and register of readings.

Historical Text and Translation

Book of Hieroglyphic Figures (Livre des figures hiéroglyphiques), attributed in the witness to Abraham the Jew. Getty Research Institute, Manly Palmer Hall collection of alchemical manuscripts, accession 950053, Box 1, Hogart manuscript 3; French witness catalogued circa 1800. Manly Palmer Hall is the collector, not the author.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The circa 1800 source manuscript is public domain. The supplied 2026 French reading transcription, English translation, introduction, notes, outline, glossary, register, and editorial arrangement are published with the site owner’s authorization. Source photographs are credited to the Getty Research Institute and Internet Archive in the supplied edition.