To the Reader.

A decorative woodcut initial 'Q' features symmetrical floral and foliate scrolls within a square frame.

Since, indeed, in the five books of the Poimandres original: "Pymandri"; the Poimandres is one of the primary texts of the Corpus Hermeticum, often personified as a divine teacher or "Shepherd of Men.", honest Reader, I have already discussed God, the Angels, the heavenly bodies, and finally the elements, as far as I was able—though not as well as I should have—it is only right that I next speak of man, for whose sake all these things were made. When I had convinced myself that this must be done, and I did not find the Great Mercury original: "Magnum Mercurium"; referring to Hermes Trismegistus, the legendary sage to whom these works are attributed. answering my desires in the remaining dialogues of the Poimandres, I turned myself to the Asclepius named after the Greek god of healing, a student of Hermes in this dialogue. by the same author. In it, I found the Great Mercury disputing with extraordinary subtlety and excellence concerning the dignity, immortality, and the nature of man—both corporeal and incorporeal.

Therefore, I have arranged the Asclepius of Mercury into three books. In the first of these, I have spoken about the power of the human intellect; and what appeared to be missing there, I have striven to complete in the third book of the Asclepius. In the second book, however, I have discussed human will, and most especially man's free choice, according to my own limited means original: "curta suppellectile"; literally "scanty household-stuff," a classical idiom for one's modest intellectual resources.. But in the third, I have disputed concerning the body and the human senses, and many other matters pertaining to this business.

Accept then, wise Reader, the Asclepius of the Great Mercury with a willing heart. For it is difficult for the human mind not to love something, and it is inevitable that our mind be drawn toward some affection. But the love of the flesh must be conquered by the love of the spirit, and desire must be restrained by desire. Whatever is diminished in the former grows in the latter. You must read frequently; many things must be learned, especially those that look toward the piety and goodness of the Christian life. Thus, a soul broken—or rather, refreshed—by studies of this kind and by holy labors may call itself away from its own lusts.

Understand with me, faithful Reader, what I wish to say by remaining silent. Possess prudence, possess chastity, justice, temperance, fortitude, and patience. Be enclosed within these regions of the heavens if you desire to drink from the fountain of the most wise Mercury. This chariot original: "quadriga"; a four-horse chariot, a common philosophical metaphor for the virtues or the forces that drive the soul. will carry you swiftly to the goal of the ancient Mercury. For "a fat belly does not give birth to a refined mind," A common Latin proverb suggesting that over-indulgence in physical pleasures dulls the intellect. and a mind distracted by cares does not receive the words of the wise. Read Mercury often; indeed, let the Catholic and approved authors never be laid down from your hands. You will certainly be a delicate reader if, with a full stomach and driven by the stings of a foul conscience, you attempt to dispute the wisdom of the Great Mercury.