Page 69them all, and turned them into liquor. But what the above-mentionedround wrapped-up thing was, my companions did not know, but I under-stood that it was the Moor’s head, from which the water drew so great aheat. At A, round about the great vessel, there were again many holes, inwhich they stuck their branches. Now whether this was done of necessity,or only for ceremony, I do not know. However, these branches were con-tinually besprinkled by the fountain, and from them it afterwards droppedinto the vessel something of a deeper yellow. This lasted for nearly twohours, the fountain still constantly running by itself; but the longer it ran,the fainter it was.Meantime the musicians went their way, and we walked up and down inthe room, and truly the room was made in such a way that we had oppor-tunity enough to pass away our time. There were, for images, paintings,clockworks, organs, springing fountains, and the like, nothing forgotten.Now it was near the time when the fountain ceased, and would run nolonger, when the Virgin commanded a round golden globe to be brought.But at the bottom of the fountain there was a tap, by which she let out allthe matter that was dissolved by those hot drops (of which certain partswere then very red) into the globe. The rest of the water which remainedabove in the kettle was poured out. And so this fountain (which had nowbecome much lighter) was again carried forth. Now whether it was openedelsewhere, or whether anything of the bodies that was further useful yetremained, I dare not say for certain. But this I know, that the water that wasemptied into the globe was much heavier than six, or even more of us,were well able to bear, although going by its bulk it should have seemed nottoo heavy for one man. Now this globe having been got out of doors withmuch ado, we again sat alone, but I perceiving a trampling overhead, had aneye to my ladder. Here one might take notice of the strange opinions my companions hadconcerning this fountain, for they, imagining that the bodies lay in the gar-den of the castle, did not know what to make of this kind of working, but Ithanked God that I had awakened at so opportune a time, and that I hadseen that which helped me the better in all the Virgin’s business. After one quarter of an hour the cover above was again lifted off, and wewere commanded to come up, which was done as before with wings, lad-ders and ropes. And it vexed me not a little that whereas the virgins couldgo up another way, we had to take so much toil; yet I could well judge thatthere must be some special reason for it, and we must leave something for
Page 70the old man to do too. For even those with wings had no advantage bythem other than when they had to climb through the hole. Now we having got up there, and the hole having been shut again, I sawthe globe hanging by a strong chain in the middle of the room. In thisroom was nothing but windows, and between two windows there was adoor, which was covered with nothing other than a great polished looking-glass. And these windows and these looking-glasses were optically opposedto one another, so that although the sun (which was now shining exceed-ingly brightly) beat only upon one door, yet (after the windows towards thesun were opened, and the doors before the looking-glasses drawn aside) inall quarters of the room there were nothing but suns, which by artificialrefractions beat upon the whole golden globe standing in the midst; andbecause (besides all this brightness) it was polished, it gave such a lustre, thatnone of us could open our eyes, but were forced to look out of the win-dows till the globe was well heated, and brought to the desired effect. HereI may well avow that in these mirrors I have seen the most wonderful spec-tacle that ever Nature brought to light, for there were suns in all places, andthe globe in the middle shined still brighter, so that we could no moreendure it than the sun itself, except for one twinkling of an eye. At length the Virgin commanded the looking-glasses to be shut upagain, and the windows to be made fast, and so to let the globe cool again alittle; and this was done about seven o’clock. This we thought good, sincewe might now have a little leisure to refresh ourselves with breakfast. Thistreatment was again right philosophical, and we had no need to be afraid ofintemperance, yet we had no want. And the hope of the future joy (withwhich the Virgin continually comforted us) made us so jocund that wetook no notice of any pains or inconvenience. And this I can truly say tooconcerning my companions of high quality, that their minds never ran aftertheir kitchen or table, but their pleasure was only to attend upon thisadventurous physick, and hence to contemplate the Creator’s wisdom andomnipotency. After we had taken our meal, we again settled down to work, for theglobe, which with toil and labour we were to lift off the chain and set uponthe floor, was sufficiently cooled. Now the dispute was how to get theglobe in half, for we were commanded to divide it in the middle. The con-clusion was that a sharp pointed diamond would best do it. Now when wehad thus opened the globe, there was nothing more of redness to be seen,but a lovely great snow-white egg. It made us rejoice most greatly that this
Page 71had been brought to pass so well. For the Virgin was in perpetual care lestthe shell might still be too tender. We stood round about this egg as jocundas if we ourselves had laid it. But the Virgin made it be carried forth, anddeparted herself, too, from us again, and (as always) locked the door. Butwhat she did outside with the egg, or whether it were in some way pri-vately handled, I do not know, neither do I believe it. Yet we were again towait together for a quarter of an hour, till the third hole was opened, andwe by means of our instruments came to the fourth stone or floor. In this room we found a great copper vessel filled with yellow sand,which was warmed by a gentle fire. Afterwards the egg was raked up in it,that it might therein come to perfect maturity. This vessel was exactlysquare; upon one side stood these two verses, written in great letters.O. BLI. TO. BIT. MI. LI.On the second side were these three words:SANITAS. NIX. HASTA.(Health, Snow, Lance.)The third had only one word:F. I . A . T.But on the behind was an entire inscription running thus:QUOD.Ignis: Aer: Aqua: Terra:SANCTIS REGUM ET REGINARUM NOSTR:Cineribus.Eripere non potueruntFidelis Chymicorum TurbaIN HANC URNAMContulit.A.WhatFire: Air: Water: EarthWe r e u n a b l e t o r o bFrom the holy ashesOF OUR KINGS AND QUEENS
Page 72Was gathered by the faithful flockOf AlchemistsIn this urnA.D. 1459. Now whether the egg were hereby meant, I leave to the learned to dis-pute; yet I do my part, and omit nothing undeclared. Our egg being nowready was taken out, but it needed no cracking, for the bird that was in itsoon freed himself, and showed himself very jocund, yet he looked verybloody and unshapen. We first set him upon the warm sand, so the Virgincommanded that before we gave him anything to eat, we should be sure tomake him fast, otherwise he would give us all work enough. This beingdone too, food was brought him, which surely was nothing else than theblood of the beheaded, diluted again with prepared water; by which thebird grew so fast under our eyes, that we saw well why the Virgin gave ussuch warning about him. He bit and scratched so devilishly about him, thatcould he have had his will upon any of us, he would have despatched him. Now he was wholly black, and wild, so other food was brought him,perhaps the blood of another of the Royal Persons; whereupon all his blackfeathers moulted again, and instead of them there grew out snow-whitefeathers. He was somewhat tamer too, and more docile. Nevertheless wedid not yet trust him. At the third feeding his feathers began to be so curi-ously coloured that in all my life I never saw such beautiful colours. He wasalso exceedingly tame, and behaved himself so friendlily with us, that (theVirgin consenting) we released him from his captivity. Our Virgin began: “Since by your diligence, and our old man’s consent,the bird has attained both his life and the highest perfection, this is a goodreason that he should also be joyfully consecrated by us.”Herewith she commanded that dinner should be brought, and that weshould again refresh ourselves, since the most troublesome part of our workwas now over, and it was fitting that we should begin to enjoy our pastlabours. We began to make ourselves merry together. However, we still hadall our mourning clothes on, which seemed somewhat reproachful to ourmirth. Now the Virgin was perpetually inquisitive, perhaps to find towhich of us her future purpose might prove serviceable. But her discoursewas for the most part about Melting; and it pleased her well when oneseemed expert in such compendious manuals as do particularly commendan artist. This dinner lasted not more than three quarters of an hour, which
Page 73we still for the most part spent with our bird, and we had to constantly feedhim with his food, but he still remained much the same size. After dinnerwe were not allowed long to digest our food, before the Virgin, togetherwith the bird, departed from us.The fifth room was set open to us, where we went as before, and offeredour services. In this room a bath was prepared for our bird, which was socoloured with a fine white powder that it had the appearance of milk. Nowit was at first cool when the bird was set into it. He was mighty well pleasedwith it, drinking of it, and pleasantly sporting in it. But after it began toheat because of the lamps that were placed under it, we had enough to doto keep him in the bath. We therefore clapped a cover on the vessel, andallowed him to thrust his head out through a hole, till he had in this waylost all his feathers in the bath, and was as smooth as a new-born child; yetthe heat did him no further harm, at which I much marveled, for the feath-ers were completely consumed in this bath, and the bath was thereby tingedblue. At length we gave the bird air, and he sprang out of the vessel of hisown accord, and he was so glitteringly smooth that it was a pleasure tobehold. But because he was still somewhat wild, we had to put a collar witha chain about his neck, and so led him up and down the room. Meanwhilea strong fire was made under the vessel, and the bath boiled away till it allcame down to a blue stone, which we took out, and having first poundedit, ground it with a stone, and finally with this colour began to paint thebird’s skin all over. Now he looked much more strange, for he was all blue,except the head, which remained white. Herewith our work on this storey was performed, and we (after the Vir-gin with her blue bird was departed from us) were called up through thehole to the sixth storey, where we were greatly troubled. For in the middlewas placed a little altar, in every way like that in the King’s hall abovedescribed. Upon this stood the six aforementioned particulars, and he him-self (the bird) made the seventh. First of all the little fountain was set beforehim, out of which he drunk a good draught. Afterwards he pecked thewhite serpent until she bled a great deal. This blood we had to receive intoa golden cup, and pour it down the bird’s throat, who was greatly averse toit. Then we dipped the serpent’s head in the fountain, upon which sherevived again, and crept into her death’s-head, so that I saw her no more fora long time after. Meantime the sphere turned constantly, until it made thedesired conjunction. Immediately the watch struck one, upon whichanother conjunction was set going. Then the watch struck two.
Page 74Finally, while we were observing the third conjunction, and this wasindicated by the watch, the poor bird submissively laid down his neck uponthe book of his own accord, and willingly allowed his head to be smittenoff (by one of us chosen for this by lot). However, he yielded not a drop ofblood until his breast was opened, and then the blood spurted out so freshand clear as if it had been a fountain of rubies. His death went to our hearts,and yet we could well judge that a naked bird would stand us in little stead.So we let it be, and moved the little altar away and assisted the Virgin toburn the body to ashes (together with the little tablet hanging by) with firekindled by the little taper; and afterwards to cleanse the same several times,and to lay them in a box of cypress wood. Here I cannot conceal what a trick was played on myself and three oth-ers. After we had thus diligently taken up the ashes, the Virgin began tospeak as follows: “My lords, here we are in the sixth room, and we haveonly one more before us, in which our trouble will be at an end, and thenwe shall return home again to our castle, to awaken our most graciousLords and Ladies. Now I could heartily wish that all of you, as you are heretogether, had behaved yourselves in such a way that I might have com-mended to our most renowned King and Queen, and you might haveobtained a suitable reward; yet contrary to my desire, I have found amongstyou these four lazy and sluggish workers (herewith she pointed at me andthree others). Yet, according to my goodwill to each and every one, I amnot willing to deliver them up to deserved punishment. However, so thatsuch negligence may not remain wholly unpunished, I am resolved thusconcerning them, that they shall only be excluded from the future seventhand most glorious action of all the rest, and so they shall incur no furtherblame from their Royal Majesties.”In what a state we now were at this speech I leave others to consider. Forthe Virgin knew so well how to keep her countenance, that the water soonran over our baskets, and we esteemed ourselves the most unhappy of allmen. After this the Virgin caused one of her maids (of whom there weremany always at hand) to fetch the musicians, who were to blow us out ofdoors with cornets, with such scorn and derision that they themselvescould hardly blow for laughing. But it afflicted us particularly greatly thatthe Virgin so vehemently laughed at our weeping, anger and impatience,and that there might well perhaps be some amongst our companions whowere glad of this misfortune of ours.
Page 75But it proved otherwise, for as soon as we had come out of the door, themusicians told us to be of good cheer and follow them up the windingstairs. They led us up to the seventh floor under the roof, where we foundthe old man, whom we had not hitherto seen, standing upon a little roundfurnace. He received us friendlily, and heartily congratulated us that we hadbeen chosen for this by the Virgin; but after he understood the fright wehad received, his belly was ready to burst with laughing that we had takensuch good fortune so badly. “Hence,” said he, “my dear sons, learn that man never knows how wellGod intended him.”During this discourse the Virgin also came running in with her littlebox, and (after she had laughed at us enough) emptied her ashes intoanother vessel, and filled hers again with other stuff, saying she must nowgo and cast a mist before the other artists’ eyes, and that we in the mean-time should obey the old lord in whatsoever he commanded us, and notremit our former diligence. Herewith she departed from us into the seventhroom into which she called our companions. Now what she did first withthem there, I cannot tell, for not only were they most earnestly forbiddento speak of it, but we also, because of our work, did not dare peep on themthrough the ceiling. But this was our work. We had to moisten the ashes with our previouslyprepared water until they became altogether like a very thin dough, afterwhich we set the matter over the fire, till it was well heated. Then we castit, hot like this, into two little forms or moulds, and let it cool a little. Here we had leisure to look a while at our companions through certaincrevices made in the floor. They were now very busy at a furnace, and eachhad to blow up the fire himself with a pipe, and they stood blowing about itlike this, as if they were wondrously preferred before us in this. And thisblowing lasted until our old man roused us to our work again, so that I can-not say what was done afterwards. We opened our little forms, and there appeared two beautiful, bright andalmost transparent little images, the like of which man’s eye never saw, amale and a female, each of them only four inches long, and what surprisedus most greatly was that they were not hard, but lithe and fleshy, like otherhuman bodies, yet they had no life; so that I most assuredly believe that theLady Venus’s image was also made after some such manner.These angelically fair babes we first laid upon two little satin cushions,and looked at them for a good while, till we were almost besotted by such
Page 76exquisite objects. The old lord warned us to forbear, and continually toinstil the blood of the bird (which had been received into a little goldencup) drop after drop into the mouths of the little images, from which theyappeared to increase; and whereas they were before very small, they werenow (according to proportion) much more beautiful, so that all paintersought to have been here, and would have been ashamed of their art inrespect of these productions of nature. Now they began to grow so big thatwe lifted them from the little cushions, and had to lay them upon a longtable, which was covered with white velvet. The old man also commandedus to cover them over up to the breast with a piece of the fine white doubletaffeta, which, because of their unspeakable beauty, almost went against us.But to be brief, before we had quite used up the blood in this way, theywere already in their perfect full growth. They had golden-yellow, curlyhair, and the above-mentioned figure of Venus was nothing to them. But there was not yet any natural warmth or sensibility in them. Theywere dead figures, yet of a lively and natural colour; and since care was tobe taken that they did not grow too big, the old man would not permitanything more to be given to them, but covered their faces too with thesilk, and caused the table to be stuck round about with torches. Here I mustwarn the reader not to imagine these lights to have been put there out ofnecessity, for the old man’s intent hereby was only that we should notobserve when the soul entered into them; and indeed we should not havenoticed it, had I not twice before seen the flames. However, I permitted theother three to remain with their own belief, neither did the old man knowthat I had seen anything more. Hereupon he asked us to sit down on abench over against the table. Presently the Virgin came in too, with the music and all necessities, andcarried two curious white garments, the like of which I had never seen inthe castle, nor can I describe them, for I thought that they were nothingother than crystal; but they were soft, and not transparent; so that I cannotdescribe them. These she laid down on a table, and after she had disposedher virgins upon a bench round about, she and the old man began manyslight-of-hand tricks about the table, which was done only to blind us. This(as I told you) was managed under the roof, which was wonderfullyformed; for on the inside it was arched into seven hemispheres, of whichthe middlemost was somewhat the highest, and had at the top a little roundhole, which was nevertheless shut, and was observed by no-one else.
Page 77After many ceremonies six virgins came in, each of whom carried a largetrumpet, around which were rolled a green, glittering and burning materiallike a wreath. The old man took one of these, and after he had removedsome of the lights at the top of the table, and uncovered their faces, heplaced one of the trumpets upon the mouth of one of the bodies in such away that the upper and wider end of it was directed just towards the afore-mentioned hole. Here my companions always looked at the images, but Ihad other thoughts, for as soon as the foliage or wreath about the shank ofthe trumpet was kindled, I saw the hole at the top open, and a brightstream of fire shooting down the tube, and passing into the body; where-upon the hole was covered again, and the trumpet removed. With thisdevice my companions were deluded, so that they imagined that life cameinto the image by means of the fire of the foliage, for as soon as he receivedthe soul his eyes twinkled, although he hardly stirred. The second time heplaced another tube upon its mouth, and kindled it again, and the soul waslet down through the tube. This as repeated for each of them three times,after which all the lights were extinguished and carried away. The velvetcoverings of the table were cast over them, and immediately a birthing bedwas unlocked and made ready, into which, thus wrapped up, they wereborn. And after the coverings were taken off them, they were neatly laid byeach other, and with the curtains drawn before them, they slept a goodwhile.Now it was also time for the Virgin to see how other artists behavedthemselves. They were well pleased because, as the Virgin afterwardsinformed me, they were to work in gold, which is indeed a piece of thisart, but not the most principal, most necessary, and best. They had indeedtoo a part of these ashes, so that they imagined nothing other than that thewhole bird was provided for the sake of gold, and that life must thereby berestored to the deceased.Meantime we sat very still, waiting for our married couple to awake.About half an hour was spent like this. Then the wanton Cupid presentedhimself again, and after he had saluted us all, flew to them behind the cur-tain, tormenting them until they awakened. This was a cause of greatamazement to them, for they imagined that they had slept from the veryhour in which they were beheaded until now. Cupid, after he had awak-ened them, and renewed their acquaintance with one another, steppedaside a little, and allowed them both to get themselves together a bit better,
Page 78meantime playing his tricks with us; and at length he wanted to have themusic brought in, to be somewhat merrier. Not long after, the Virgin herself came in, and after she had most hum-bly saluted the young King and Queen (who found themselves rather faint)and kissed their hands, she brought them the two aforementioned strangegarments, which they put on, and so stepped forth. Now there werealready prepared two very strange chairs, in which they placed themselves.And they were congratulated with most profound reverence by us, forwhich the King himself most graciously returned his thanks, and again reas-sured us of all grace.It was already about five o’clock, so they could no longer stay, but assoon as the best of their furniture could be laden, we had to attend theyoung Royal Persons down the winding stairs, through all doors andwatches to the ship. In this they embarked, together with certain virginsand Cupid, and sailed so very swiftly that we soon lost sight of them; butthey were met (as I was informed) by certain stately ships. Thus in fourhours’ time they had gone many leagues out to sea. After five o’clock themusicians were charged to carry all things back again to the ships, and tomake themselves ready for the voyage. But because this took rather a longtime, the old lord commanded a party of his concealed soldiers to comeout. They had hitherto been planted in a wall, so that we had not noticedany of them, whereby I observed that this Tower was well provided againstopposition. Now these soldiers made quick work with our stuff, so thatnothing more remained to be done but to go to supper. The table being completely furnished, the Virgin brought us again toour companions, where we were to carry ourselves as if we had truly beenin a lamentable condition, and forbear laughing. But they were always smil-ing to one another, although some of them sympathised with us too. At thissupper the old lord was also with us, who was a most sharp inspector overus; for no-one could propound anything so discreetly, but he knew eitherhow to confute it, or to amend it, or at least to give some good informationon it. I learned a great deal from this lord, and it would be very good ifeach one would apply themselves to him, and take notice of his procedure,for then things would not miscarry so often and so unfortunately.After we had taken our nocturnal refreshment, the old lord took us intohis closets of rarities, which were dispersed here and there amongst the bul-warks; where we saw such wonderful productions of Nature, and otherthings too which man’s wit, in imitation of Nature, had invented, that we
Page 79needed another year to survey them sufficiently. Thus we spent a good partof the night by candlelight. At last, because we were more inclined to sleepthan to see many rarities, we were lodged in rooms in the wall, where wehad not only costly and good beds, but also extraordinarily handsomechambers, which made us wonder all the more why we were forced toundergo so many hardships the day before. In this chamber I had good rest,and being for the most part without care, and weary with continual labour,the gentle rushing of the sea helped me to a sound and sweet sleep, for Icontinued in one dream from eleven o’clock till eight in the morning.
Page 81The Seventh Dayfter eight o’clock I woke up, and quickly made myself ready,wanting to return again into the Tower; but the dark passages inthe wall were so many and various, that I wandered a goodwhile before I could find the way out. The same happened tothe rest too, till at last we all met again in the nethermost vault, and entirelyyellow apparel was given to us, together with our golden fleeces. At thistime the Virgin declared to us that we were Knights of the Golden Stone,of which we were before ignorant. After we had made ourselves ready, and taken our breakfast, the old manpresented each of us with a medal of gold. On one side were these words:AR. NAT. MI.(Art is the Priestess of Nature)On the other these:TEM. NA. F.(Nature is the Daughter of Time.)He exhorted us moreover that we should try to take nothing more thanthis token of remembrance. Herewith we went forth to the sea, where ourships lay, so richly equipped that it was not possible but that such amazingthings must first have been brought there. The ships were twelve in num-ber, six of ours, and six of the old lord’s, who caused his ships to befreighted with well appointed soldiers. But he himself came to us in ourship, where we were all together. In the first the musicians, of which theold lord also had a great number, seated themselves; they sailed before us toshorten the time. Our flags were the twelve celestial signs, and we sat inLibra. Besides other things our ship also had a noble and curious clock,which showed us all the minutes. The sea was so calm, too, that it was asingular pleasure to sail. But what surpassed all the rest was the old man’sdiscourse; he knew so well how to pass away our time with wonderful sto-ries, that I could have been content to sail with him all my life long. Meanwhile the ships passed on in haste, for before we had sailed twohours the mariner told us that he already saw the whole lake almost coveredwith ships, by which we could conjecture that they had come out to meet
Page 82us, which proved true. For as soon as we had come out of the sea into thelake by the aforementioned river, there before us were five hundred ships,one of which sparkled with gold and precious stones, and in which sat theKing and Queen, together with other lords, ladies, and virgins of highbirth. As soon as they were well in sight of us the pieces were discharged onboth sides, and there was such a din of trumpets, shalms, and kettle drumsthat all the ships upon the sea capered again. Finally, as soon as we camenear they brought our ships together, and so made a stand. Immediately the old Atlas stepped forth on the King’s behalf, making ashort but handsome oration, in which he welcomed us, and asked whetherthe Royal Presents were ready. The rest of my companions were in greatamazement, where this King should come from, for they imagined nothingother than that they would have to awaken him again. We allowed them tocontinue in their amazement, and acted as if it seemed strange to us too.After Atlas’ oration out stepped our old man, making a rather longer reply,in which he wished the King and Queen all happiness and increase, afterwhich he delivered up a curious small casket. What was in it, I do notknow, but it was committed to Cupid to keep, who hovered between theKing and Queen. After the oration was finished, they again let off a joyful volley of shot,and so we sailed on a good time together, till at length we arrived atanother shore. This was near the first gate at which I first entered. At thisplace again there attended a great multitude of the King’s family togetherwith some hundreds of horses. Now as soon as we came to shore, and dis-embarked, the King and Queen presented their hands to all of us, everyone, with singular kindness; and so we were to get up on horseback.Here I wish to friendlily entreat the reader not to interpret the followingnarration as any vain glory or pride of mine, but to credit me this much,that if there had not been a special necessity for it, I could very well haveutterly concealed this honour which was shown me. We were all one afteranother distributed amongst the lords. But our old lord, and I, mostunworthy, were to ride alongside the King, each of us bearing a snow-white ensign with a red cross. Indeed, I was made use of because of my age,for we both had long grey beards and hair. I had also fastened my tokensabout my hat, which the young King soon noticed, and asked if I were hewho could redeem these tokens at the gate? I answered in most humble manner, “Ye s”. But he laughed at me, saying, “There was no need for ceremony; I wasHIS father”.
Page 83Then he asked me with what I had redeemed them? I replied, “With Water and Salt”. Whereupon he wondered who had made me so wise; upon which Igrew a bit more confident, and recounted to him how it had happenedwith my bread, the Dove and the Raven, and he was pleased with it andsaid expressly that it must be that God had herein vouchsafed me a singularhappiness. With this we came to the first gate where the Porter with the blueclothes waited, bearing in his hand a supplication. Now as soon as he sawme alongside the King, he delivered me the supplication, most humblybeseeching me to mention his ingenuity to the King. Now in the first placeI asked the King what the condition of this porter was. He friendlilyanswered me, that he was a very famous and rare astrologer, and always inhigh regard with the Lord his Father, but having once committed a faultagainst Venus, and seen her in her bed of rest, this punishment was there-fore imposed upon him, that he should wait at the first gate for so longuntil someone should release him from it. I replied, “May he then be released?”“Ye s ,” said the King, “if anyone can be found that has transgressed ashighly as himself, he must take his place, and the other shall be free.”This went to my heart, for my conscience convinced me that I was theoffender, yet I kept quiet, and herewith delivered the supplication. As soonas he had read it, he was greatly terrified, so that the Queen (who with ourvirgins, and that other Duchess as well - whom I mentioned at the hangingof the weights - rode just behind us) observed this, and therefore asked himwhat this letter might mean. But he had no mind to take any notice of it,and putting away the paper, began to talk about other matters, till thus inabout three hours’ time we came to the castle, where we alighted, andwaited upon the King as he went into his hall.Immediately the King called for the old Atlas to come to him in a littlecloset, and showed him the writing, and Atlas did not tarry, but rode outagain to the Porter to get more information on the matter. After this theyoung King, with his spouse, and the other lords, ladies and virgins, satdown. Then our Virgin began to highly commend the diligence we hadshown, and the pains and labour we had undergone, requesting that wemight be royally rewarded, and that she might be permitted to enjoy thebenefit of her commission from then on. Then the old lord stood up too,and attested that all the Virgin had said was true, and that it was only justthat we should both be contented on both our parts. Hereupon we were to
Page 84step forward a little, and it was concluded that each man should make somepossible wish, and accordingly obtain it; for it was not to be doubted thatthose of understanding would also make the best wish. So we were to con-sider it until after supper. Meantime the King and Queen, for recreation’s sake, began to playtogether, at something which looked not unlike chess, only it had differentrules; for it was the Virtues and Vices one against another, and it mightingeniously be observed with what plots the Vices lay in wait for the Vir-tues, and how to re-encounter them again. This was so properly and clev-erly performed, that it is to be wished that we had the same game too.During the game, in came Atlas again, and made his report in private, but Iblushed all over, for my conscience gave me no rest. After this the King gave me the supplication to read, and the contents ofit were much to this purpose. First he (the doorkeeper) wished the Kingprosperity, and increase, and that his seed might be spread abroad far andwide. Afterwards he remonstrated that the time was now come in whichaccording to the royal promise he ought to be released, because Venus hadalready been uncovered by one of his guests, for his observations could notlie to him. And that if his Majesty would be pleased to make a strict anddiligent enquiry, he would find that she had been uncovered, and if thisshould not prove to be so, he would be content to remain before the gateall the days of his life. Then he asked in the most humble manner, thatupon peril of body and life he might be permitted to be present at thisnight’s supper. He was hoping to seek out the very offender, and obtain hisdesired freedom. This was expressly and handsomely indicated, by which Icould well perceive his ingenuity, but it was too sharp for me, and I wouldnot have minded if I had never seen it. Now I was wondering whether hemight perhaps be helped through my wish, so I asked the King whether hemight not be released some other way.“No,” replied the King, “because there is a special consideration in thebusiness. However, for this night, we may well gratify him in his desire.” Sohe sent someone to fetch him in. Meanwhile the tables were prepared in aspacious room, in which we had never been before, which was so perfect,and contrived in such a manner, that it is not possible for me even to beginto describe it. We were conducted into this with singular pomp and cere-mony. Cupid was not at this time present, for (as I was informed) the dis-grace which had happened to his mother had somewhat angered him. Inbrief, my offence, and the supplication which was delivered, were an occa-
Page 85sion of much sadness, for the King was in perplexity how to make inquisi-tion amongst his guests, and the more so because through this, even theywho were yet ignorant of the matter would come to know about it. So hecaused the Porter himself, who had already arrived, to make his strict sur-vey, and he himself acted as pleasantly as he was able. However, eventually they all began to be merry again, and to talk to oneanother with all sorts of recreative and profitable discourses. Now, how thetreatment and other ceremonies were then performed, it is not necessary todeclare, since it is neither the reader’s concern, nor serviceable to mydesign. But all exceeded more in art, and human invention, than weexceeded in drinking! And this was the last and noblest meal at which I waspresent. After the banquet the tables were suddenly taken away, and certaincurious chairs placed round about in a circle, in which we, together withthe King and Queen, and both their old men and the ladies and virgins,were to sit. After this, a very handsome page opened the above-mentioned gloriouslittle book, and Atlas immediately placed himself in the midst, and began tospeak to this purpose: that his Royal Majesty had not forgotten the servicewe had done him, and how carefully we had attended to our duty, andtherefore by way of retribution had elected all and each of us Knights of theGolden Stone. And that it was therefore further necessary not only onceagain to oblige ourselves towards his Royal Majesty, but also to vow to thefollowing articles; and then his Royal Majesty would likewise know how tobehave himself towards his liege people. Upon which he caused the page toread over the articles, which were these.(I) You my lords the Knights shall swear that you shall at no time ascribeyour order to any devil or spirit, but only to God your Creator, and hishandmaid Nature.(2) That you will abominate all whoredom, incontinency and unclean-ness, and not defile your order with such vices.(3) That you through your talents will be ready to assist all that are wor-thy, and have need of them.(4) That you desire not to employ this honour to worldly pride and highauthority.(5) That you shall not be willing to live longer than God will have youdo. At this last article we could not choose but laugh, and it may well havebeen placed after the rest only for a conceit. Now after vowing to them allby the King’s sceptre, we were afterwards installed Knights with the usual
Page 86ceremonies, and amongst other privileges set over Ignorance, Poverty, andSickness, to handle them at our pleasure. And this was afterwards ratified ina little chapel (to which we were conducted in procession) and thanksreturned to God for it. I also hung up there at that time my golden fleeceand hat, and left them there for an eternal memorial, to the honour ofGod. And because everyone had to write his name there, I wrote thus:The highest wisdom is to know nothing.Brother Christian RosenkreutzKnight of the Golden StoneA.D. 1459.Others wrote likewise, each as it seemed good to him. After this, wewere again brought into the hall, where, having sat down, we were admon-ished quickly to think what we each one would wish. But the King and hisparty retired into a little closet, there to give audience to our wishes. Noweach man was called in separately, so that I cannot speak of any man’s ownwish. I thought nothing could be more praiseworthy than to demonstratesome laudable virtue in honour of my order, and found too that none atpresent could be better, and cost me more trouble, than Gratitude. Where-fore in spite of the fact that I might well have wished something more dearand agreeable to myself, I vanquished myself, and concluded, even at myown peril, to free the Porter, my benefactor. So as I was now called in, I was first of all asked whether, having read thesupplication, I had observed or suspected nothing concerning the offender?Upon which I began undauntedly to relate how all the business had passed,how through ignorance I fell into that mistake, and so offered myself toundergo all that I had thereby deserved. The King, and the rest of the lords,wondered greatly at so unexpected a confession, and so asked me to stepaside a little. Now as soon as I was called in again, Atlas declared to me that althoughit was grievous to the King’s Majesty that I, whom he loved above others,had fallen into such a mischance, yet because it was not possible for him totransgress his ancient usages, he did not know how to absolve me; the othermust be at liberty, and I put in his place; yet he would hope that some otherwould be apprehended, so that I might be able to go home again. However,no release was to be hoped for, till the marriage feast of his future son. This sentence had nearly cost me my life, and I first hated myself and mytwaddling tongue, in that I could not keep quiet; yet at last I took courage,
Page 87and because I thought there was no remedy, I related how this Porter hadbestowed a token on me, and commended me to the other, by whose assis-tance I stood upon the scale, and so was made partaker of all the honourand joy already received. And therefore now it was but fair that I shouldshow myself grateful to my benefactor, and because this could not be donein any other way, I returned thanks for the sentence, and was willing gladlyto bear some inconvenience for the sake of he who had been helpful to mein coming to such a high place. But if by my wish anything might beeffected, I wished myself at home again, so that he by me, and I by my wishmight be at liberty. Answer was made me, that the wishing did not stretchso far. However, I might wish him free. Yet it was very pleasing to hisRoyal Majesty that I had behaved myself so generously in this, but he wasafraid I might still be ignorant of what a miserable condition I had plungedmyself into through my curiosity. Hereupon the good man was pro-nounced free, and I with a sad heart had to step aside.After me the rest were called for too, and came jocundly out again,which pained me still more, for I imagined nothing other than that I mustfinish my life under the gate. I also had many pensive thoughts running upand down in my head, what I should do, and how to spend the time. Atlength I considered that I was now old, and according to the course ofnature, had few years more to live. And that this anguished and melancholylife would quickly send me from this world, and then my door-keepingwould be at an end, and by a most happy sleep I might quickly bring myselfto the grave. I had many of these thoughts. Sometimes it vexed me that Ihad seen such gallant things, and must be robbed of them. Sometimes I rejoiced that still, before my end, I had been accepted to alljoy, and should not be forced to depart shamefully. This was the last andworst shock that I sustained. During my cogitations the rest had got ready. So after they had receiveda good night from the King and lords, each one was conducted into hislodging. But I, most wretched man, had nobody to show me the way, andmust moreover suffer myself to be tormented; and so that I might be cer-tain of my future function, I had to put on the ring which the other hadworn before. Finally, the King exhorted me that since this was now the lasttime I was likely to see him in this manner, I should behave myself accord-ing to my place, and not against the order. Upon which he took me in hisarms, and kissed me, all which I understood to mean that in the morning Imust sit at my gate. Now after they had all spoken friendlily to me for awhile, and at last given their hands, committing me to the Divine protec-
Page 88tion, I was conducted by both the old men, the Lord of the Tower, andAtlas, into a glorious lodging, in which stood three beds, and each of us layin one of them, where we spent almost two, &c….. (Here about two leaves in quarto are missing, and he (the author ofthis), whereas he imagined he must in the morning be doorkeeper,returned home.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublimation_(phase_transition)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alchemical_Studies
Alchemical Studies Atalanta Fugiens Aurora consurgens Baopuzi Bibliotheca Chemica Curiosa Buch der heiligen Dreifaltigkeit Cantilenae Intelectuales de Phoenice Redivivo Cantong qi Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz Cyranides De Alchemia Den vises sten Deutsches Theatrum Chemicum Emerald Tablet Fasciculus Chemicus Greek Magical Papyri Hermetic Definitions Hermetic Journal Hermetica Kitab al-Kimya Leyden papyrus X Liber Ignium Musaeum Hermeticum Mutus Liber Occult Chemistry Papyrus Graecus Holmiensis Parabola Allegory Picatrix Psychology and Alchemy Rosary of the Philosophers Septimana Philosophica Splendor Solis Suspicions about the Hidden Realities of the Air The Hermetical Triumph The Mirror of Alchimy The Twelve Keys of Basil Valentine Theatrum Chemicum Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum Tripus Aureus Turba Philosophorum Treatise on the Apparitions of Spirits
Agastya Arthur Dee Cleopatra the Alchemist Fulcanelli Ge Hong Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa Isaac Newton Jābir ibn Hayyān John Dee Albertus Magnus Khālid ibn Yazīd Bernard of Treviso Mary the Jewess Michael Maier Dmitri Mendeleev Nicolas Flamel Ostanes Paracelsus Rhazes Robert Boyle Roger Bacon Wei Boyang Zosimos of Panopolis
https://librivox.org/the-chymical-wedding-of-christian-rosenkreutz-by-anonymous/
Pages in category "Christian Kabbalah"
The following 14 pages are in this category, out of 14 total. This list may not reflect recent changes (learn more).
Christian Kabbalah
Adorján Czipleá
Christian Rosenkreuz
C
Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz
D
De Arte Cabbalistica
E
Emanation in the Eastern Orthodox Church
K
Kabbala Denudata
Kabbalistic Order of the Rose-Cross
M
Monas Hieroglyphica
T
Three Books of Occult Philosophy
Treatise on the Reintegration of Beings
Tree of life (Kabbalah)
Y
Yahshuah
Yesod
Pages in category "Kabbalah texts"
The following 28 pages are in this category, out of 28 total. This list may not reflect recent changes (learn more).
Primary texts of Kabbalah
A
Alphabet of Rabbi Akiva
B
Bahir
Book of the Penitence of Adam
C
Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz
D
De Arte Cabbalistica
Derech Hashem
E
3 Enoch
Etz Chaim (book)
I
Idra
L
Lekhah Dodi
M
Maaseh Merkabah
Masseket Azilut
Daniel C. Matt
P
Pardes Rimonim
R
Reshit Chochmah
S
Sefer HaRazim
Sefer HaTemunah
Sefer Raziel HaMalakh
Sefer Yetzirah
Semiphoras and Schemhamphorash
Shaar HaGilgulim
Shi'ur Qomah
The Sword of Moses
T
Three Books of Occult Philosophy
Tikunei haZohar
Tomer Devorah
Z
Zohar
Pages in category "Rosicrucianism"
The following 25 pages are in this category, out of 25 total. This list may not reflect recent changes (learn more).
Rosicrucianism
*
Christian Rosenkreuz
A
Adam Haslmayr
Johannes Valentinus Andreae
B
Alexandru Bogdan-Pitești
C
Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz
Confessio Fraternitatis
F
Fama Fraternitatis
Frater Rosae Crucis
G
Great Architect of the Universe
M
Mount Ecclesia
N
New Galilee (the Sixth Epoch)
P
Parabola Allegory
R
Rays from the Rose Cross
Rose Cross
The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
Rosicrucian Park
S
Salon de la Rose + Croix
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia
Speculum Sophicum Rhodostauroticum
Anna Sprengel
St. Irvyne
T
Third eye
W
Wolfstein, the Murderer
Gollum leads Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee to Minas Morgul, where they watch the Witch-king of Angmar, leader of the nine Nazgûl, lead an army of Orcs towards Gondor. The hobbits begin climbing a stair carved in the cliff face that leads to a secret tunnel into Mordor, unaware that Gollum plans to kill them and take the Ring. The Witch-king and his forces strike and overwhelm Osgiliath, forcing Faramir and his garrison to retreat to Minas Tirith.
Gollum disposes of the Hobbits' food, blaming Sam. Believing that Sam desires the Ring, Frodo tells him to go home before he and Gollum continue to the tunnel leading to Mordor. Gollum tricks him into venturing into the lair of the giant spider Shelob. Frodo narrowly escapes and confronts Gollum, telling him that he must destroy the Ring for both their sakes. Gollum attacks Frodo but falls down a chasm. Frodo continues on, but Shelob discovers, paralyses, and binds him. Sam returns and injures Shelob, driving her away, but then hides as Orcs appear and take Frodo with them. The Orcs prepare to execute Frodo, but they end up fighting each other over ownership of Frodo's mithril; the distraction allows Sam to rescue Frodo, and they escape before going on to continue their journey.
As King Théoden gathers the Rohirrim army, Aragorn learns from Elrond that Arwen is dying, having refused to leave Middle Earth to be with Aragorn after seeing a vision of their future son. Arwen convinced a reluctant Elrond to order the shards of King Elendil's sword, Narsil, be reforged into Andúril so that Aragorn can reclaim his birthright and gain reinforcements from the ghostly Dead Men of Dunharrow. Joined by Legolas and Gimli, Aragorn travels to the Dead Men's lair, pledging to release them from Isildur's undead curse should they come to Gondor's aid.
Faramir is gravely wounded after a futile effort to recapture Osgiliath; believing his son to be dead, Denethor falls into madness. Gandalf is left to defend the city against the Orc army, led by Gothmog. As Gothmog's army forces its way into the city, Denethor attempts to kill himself and Faramir on a pyre. Pippin alerts Gandalf and they save Faramir, but a burning Denethor leaps to his death from the top of Minas Tirith just before Théoden and his nephew, Éomer, arrive with the Rohirrim. During the ensuing battle, they are overwhelmed by the Oliphaunt-riding Haradrim and the Witch-King mortally wounds Théoden. Just as the Witch-king prepares to finish Théoden off, his niece Éowyn battles and manages to kill the Witch-king with Merry's help; Éowyn subsequently tends to Théoden afterwards and they bid each farewell before Théoden dies in front of his niece. Aragorn then arrives with the Army of the Dead, who overcome Sauron's forces and win the battle; afterwards, Aragorn frees the Dead Men from their curse.
Aragorn decides to march upon the Black Gate as a distraction so Frodo and Sam can reach Mount Doom. Aragorn's army draws out Sauron's remaining forces and empties Mordor, allowing Frodo and Sam to reach the volcano, but Gollum attacks them just as they reach Mount Doom. As Frodo stands on the ledge over the volcanic fire, he succumbs to the Ring and claims it as his own, putting it on his finger. Gollum finds the invisible Frodo and attacks him, biting his finger off to reclaim the Ring. Frodo attacks Gollum in an attempt to reclaim the Ring, and in the ensuing struggle they both fall off the ledge. Gollum falls into the lava with the Ring and dies. Frodo clings to the side of the ledge and is rescued by Sam as the Ring disintegrates in the lava. As Frodo and Sam escape, Sauron is defeated—along with his Orcs and Nazgûl—as Mordor crumbles, finally destroying Sauron once and for all.
"It might be clearer if I described it as an historical film. Something very different to Dark Crystal or Labyrinth. Imagine something like Braveheart, but with a little of the visual magic of Legend. […]It should have the historical authority of Braveheart, rather than the meaningless fantasy mumbo-jumbo of Willow.[35]
Rank Peak Rank Peak
The Fellowship of the Ring 19 December 2001 $315,544,750 $572,389,161 $887,933,911 78 9 64 5 $93 million [52][53]
The Two Towers 18 December 2002 $342,551,365 $608,676,051 $951,227,416 57 7 56 4 $94 million [54][55]
The Return of the King 17 December 2003 $377,845,905 $764,425,193 $1,142,271,098 45 6 24 2 $94 million [56][57]
Total $1,035,942,020 $1,945,490,405 $2,981,432,425 $281 million
Commentators have compared Jackson's film trilogy with Tolkien's written work, remarking that while both have been extremely successful commercially, they differ in many respects. Critics have admired Jackson's ability to film the long and complex work at all; the beauty of the cinematography, sets, and costumes; and the epic scale of his version of Tolkien's story. They have however found the characters and the story greatly weakened by Jackson's emphasis on action and violence at the expense of psychological depth; the loss of Tolkien's emphasis on free will and individual responsibility; and the replacement of Frodo's inner journey by an American monomyth with Aragorn as the hero.[105][106]
As for whether the film trilogy is faithful to the novel, opinions range from Verlyn Flieger's feeling that a film adaptation is not even worth attempting,[106][107] Wayne G. Hammond's opinion that the film sacrifices the book's richness of characterisation and narrative for violence, thrills, and cheap humour,[108] or Christopher Tolkien's view that Jackson's interpretation is unacceptable,[109] to granting, with Jackson and Boyens, that the film version is inevitably different.[110] From that standpoint, critics such as Brian Rosebury and Tom Shippey have described the films as a partial success, giving some of the feeling and capturing some of the key themes of the novel.[111][112] Yvette Kisor considers that Jackson was unfaithful to many of Tolkien's details, but succeeded in achieving something of the same impact and feelings of providence, eucatastrophe, and interconnectedness. Dimitra Fimi suggests that Jackson was continuing Tolkien's tradition of adapting folklore, incorporating both the fans' views on that folklore and cinematic traditions such as the zombie in the film trilogy to produce its own modern folklore.[105][106]
The Fellowship of the Ring 178 minutes (2 hr, 58 min)[122] 208 minutes (3 hr, 28 min)[123]
The Two Towers 179 minutes (2 hr, 59 min)[124] 226 minutes (3 hr, 46 min)[125]
The Return of the King 201 minutes (3 hr, 21 min)[126] 252 minutes (4 hr, 12 min)[127]
Total runtime 558 minutes (9 hr, 18 min) 686 minutes (11 hr, 26 min)
Sixty years later, Bilbo celebrates his 111th birthday in the Shire, reuniting with his old friend, the wizard Gandalf the Grey. Bilbo reveals that he intends to leave the Shire for one last adventure, and he leaves his inheritance, including the Ring, to his nephew Frodo. Gandalf investigates the Ring, discovers its true nature, and learns that Gollum was captured and tortured by Sauron's Orcs, revealing two words during his interrogation: "Shire" and "Baggins." Gandalf returns and warns Frodo to leave the Shire. As Frodo departs with his friend, gardener Samwise Gamgee, Gandalf rides to Isengard to meet with the wizard Saruman, but learns that he has joined forces with Sauron, who has dispatched his nine undead Nazgûl servants to find Frodo.
>to find Frodo.
>>to find Frodo.
>his 111th birthday in the Shire, reuniting with his old friend, the wizard Gandalf the Grey.
>>>to find Frodo.
>>>to find Frodo.
> revealing two words during his interrogation: "Shire" and "Baggins." Gandalf returns and warns Frodo to leave the Shire
>>>>to find Frodo.
>>>>>to find Frodo.