Solothurn, Zentralbibliothek, Cod. S I 185, f. 9v – Composite manuscript with alchemistic treatises
"Hermes treats first of the subject and says that one must inquire into the root and the origin of the work, and know the son who is born from the father and mother, for from corruption arises generation. From this comes first the blackness, afterward the whiteness, and finally the redness, and without this order nothing is accomplished.
Alphidius says that nothing should be attempted unless the blackness has first appeared, for from blackness the white is extracted, and from the white the red, without which the work cannot be perfected.
Morienus says that one must know that all smoke and vapor are the spirit and the soul of the dissolved body. If the spirit does not rise, the white cannot be achieved, and without whiteness the redness cannot follow.
Rosinus further says that this work is noble and most subtle, and that it is accomplished by reason rather than by force. Plato says that nature rejoices in nature, and nature overcomes nature.
Ostanes says that the body must be dissolved and broken, so that it may be cleansed and made subtle. It is the Catholic faith of the philosophers that nothing is perfected on the universal path unless the whole substance first dies, so that another may arise in its place.
Parmenides speaks more obscurely and says that some call it water, but it is not water, for it does not moisten; yet it dissolves bodies and remains permanent, and nothing can be done without it, since through it the body is dissolved.
Alphidius says that this medicine is known by many names, yet it is one thing alone, which is set under many names to conceal it from the unworthy.
Plato says that this art imitates nature, for we attribute to the work what nature herself desires to accomplish.
Solomon says that this is the son of the sun and the daughter of the moon, which the wind has carried in its belly and the earth has nourished. This is testified by the writings of the ancients, preserved in parables and allegories."
