The Foundation

My reader! if you have a desire to prepare the

Then read only ArtephiusA legendary alchemical author, often claimed to have lived over a thousand years; his "Secret Book" is the first treatise in this collection., for he will

Lulliusoriginal: "Lullius." Referring to Ramon Lull (c. 1232–1315). While the historical Lull was a philosopher and missionary, many complex alchemical works were falsely attributed to him in later centuries. sets forth many processes; yet when one

It is found that time and expense were

GeberThe Latinized name of Jabir ibn Hayyan (c. 721–815), the "father of chemistry." His writings were often criticized by later alchemists for being intentionally obscure or "gibberish." also gives very little that

Whoever follows his words poorly,

What Hortulanus and the monk BasiliusBasil Valentine, a legendary 15th-century Benedictine monk and alchemist famous for his works on antimony. have

Concerning the secret artA common term for Alchemy, referring to the "Great Work" of transmutation., let it always

Villanovanus and Bernard, and ZachariusDionysius Zachaire (16th century), a French alchemist who wrote a famous account of his long search for the Stone.

They lead the straight way and

If you are now not altogether too foolish, or wish

With your senses, but rather incline yourself toward the

Then I tell you this for certain: this little book

How to reach the desired goal: For this you should

Likely a signature for a member of the Rosicrucian brotherhood, such as Hermeticus Rosae Crucis.