and pure nut oil prepared for it beforehand, which has been so arranged that it nearly reaches the first plate. The rising and falling vapor is finally resolved in fire, which, joined to the earth, dissolves it by putrefying it into its own nature.

TREATISE II.

The Little Book of Solomon Trismosin on the Red Lion and his Treasury.

Among all arts, the subjectum tincturae the subject of the tincture, that is, the tincturing essence, is the highest and most excellent art before other arts in this world, which the eternal Godhead has reserved for itself and will not allow to be revealed to just anyone. He does not wish that all people be rich, but rather that one person serve another with friendliness and work. And although this art has been evident to many heathens, especially great heads such as kings, it has not happened in any other way because they knew nothing of God the Almighty, whether they wished to humble themselves or reflect: namely, that there must be a God who created such a mystery. Namely, that such a tincturing essence can tincture so much metal so imperfectly, and it shall be fixed to the best gold in all high tests, and better gold than can come from the mountains. Or [it comes] through special inspiration from the Highest, as happened to the holy three kings, who were also heathens, to the Lord Christ our Savior, to whom they had to carry gold, frankincense, and myrrh such a long way. But the heathens were very secretive in such arts, keeping them hidden so that others of their kind would not be offended, as indeed it ought to be. And although such heathen kings had to have people who could also work such an art, it was always diligently seen to by them that those who were predestined for it were also secretive, and I say myself that not everyone is qualified for it.

I, Trismosin, have had nine disciples; it was advised to none but one, Philips Hohenheimer original: Paracelsus, a born Swiss, a scarred man. I say: he will become great in this art when he reaches about his middle age; then the world will hear great wonders from him and bring many wonders to light. Whoever now is eager to come to the