Basil Valentine, His Triumphant Chariot of Antimony

«Since, Basil Valentine, by Religious Vows am bound according to the Order of St. Benedict, and that requires another manner of Spirit of Holiness, then the common State of Mortals exercised in the prophane business of this World» — así se presenta la voz que firma el tratado: un monje profeso benedictino que reclama para sí otro espíritu de santidad que el del común de los mortales, y de esa condición deriva enseguida un deber de enseñar.

«I thought it my duty before all things, in the beginning of this little Book, to declare what is necessary» — el voto religioso se convierte en obligación literaria: antes de la técnica hay que decir lo que el espagirista piadoso necesita saber.

«as, what he ought to do, and whereunto to direct his aim, that he may lay such Foundations» — el contenido de esa admonición previa: la conducta y el fin al que apunta el operador, para que los cimientos de toda la materia sean estables.

«lest his Building shaken with Winds, happen to fail, and the whole Edifice to be involved in shameful Ruine» — la imagen con que enuncia el riesgo de empezar sin ese fundamento: el edificio entero se viene abajo.

«which otherwise, being founded on more firm and solid Principles, might have continued for a long series of time» — el reverso de la misma imagen: sobre principios firmes, la obra dura.

«Therefore touching these five Heads we shall here following treat, and so far declare them, as that the general Work may be brought to light» — anuncia el plan del libro: las cinco cabezas se tratan hasta donde baste para sacar a la luz la obra general.

«For he, who regards not these, shall never obtain place among true Chymists» — pone las cinco cabezas como condición de pertenencia: sin ellas no hay lugar entre los verdaderos químicos ni entre los espagiristas perfectos.

«Invocation of GOD must be made with a certain Heavenly Intention, drawn from the bottom of a pure and sincere Heart, and Conscience, free from all Ambition, Hypocrisy, and all other Vices» — la primera cabeza no se enuncia como devoción genérica sino con requisitos: intención celeste, corazón sincero y conciencia limpia de ambición e hipocresía.

«For GOD will not be mocked (which I earnestly admonish) as Worldly Men, pleasing and flattering themselves with their own Wisdom, think» — el reproche que acompaña a esa exigencia va dirigido a quienes se complacen en su propia sabiduría.

«All these, by humble Prayer a Man obtains of that most excellent Father, who created Heaven and Earth, together with things Visible and Invisible, as the Firmament, Elements, Vegetables, and Animals.» — la oración humilde se presenta como vía de obtención de todo lo creado, visible e invisible.

«For the Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom.» — remata el tramo devoto con la sentencia bíblica, puesta como principio del trabajo y no como adorno.

«Whosoever purposeth in himself to seek after that, which is the greatest of Terrene things, especially the knowledge of every good thing, that is in the Creatures, and GOD hath liberally imparted to Men, and implanted (as to their effective power) in Stones, Herbs, Roots, Seeds, Animals, Plants, Minerals, Metals, yea and indeed in all things; let him cast away all Earthly thoughts, reject all that depends on them, and hope for freeness of Heart, and pray unto GOD with great lowlyness of mind:» — el objeto del arte queda definido como el conocimiento de la virtud efectiva puesta por Dios en piedras, hierbas, semillas, animales, minerales y metales; la condición de acceso es desprenderse de lo terreno.

«Which no Man will doubt, who knows, that he alone is GOD, who delivered Israel from all his Enemies; which deliverance he did in very deed effect, not only for Israel, but also for all Men making humble supplications to him, and praying with brokenness of Heart.» — extiende a todo suplicante la liberación de Israel, con lo que la promesa deja de ser histórica y se vuelve regla del operador.

«Therefore let Prayer by the first point of our Admonition, which also is, and by us is called Invokation of GOD, which if made, not with Hypocrisy and a feigned Heart, but with such Faith and Trust, as that,» — nombra la oración como primer punto de la admonición, con la condición negativa (ni hipocresía ni corazón fingido) que la hace válida; el tramo corta donde arranca la serie de ejemplos evangélicos.

«with such lowlines of mind, and confession of Sins, as the Woman of Canaan was endued with;» — segundo de los ejemplos evangélicos con que mide la oración debida, entre el centurión de Cafarnaúm y el samaritano del camino de Jericó.

«Lastly, if a Man’s Christian Charity extends itself so far, as if he obtain what he prays for, he would willingly communicate of the same to his Neighbour, then he shall unobtainably obtain Riches and Health, the of his Prayer.» — cierra la condición con la caridad: quien comunique al prójimo lo obtenido alcanzará riqueza y salud; el volumen imprime aquí una frase mutilada, *the of his Prayer* (sic), donde parece faltar el sustantivo.

«but that Nature should err, when rightly handled, is not possible.» — la segunda cabeza, la contemplación de la naturaleza, descansa en esta premisa: el error está siempre del lado del operador.

«The later consists of copious cogitations, which never proceed to effects, nor exhibit any form of a matter, which falls under the Touch.» — distingue la contemplación fecunda de la imposible, y el criterio que las separa es el tacto: lo que no llega a materia palpable no cuenta.

«These are, Calcination, Sublimation, Reverberation, Circulation, Putrefaction, Digestion, Distillation, Cohobation, Fixation, and the like of these; all degrees of which are found in operating, learned, perceived and manifest by the same.» — la lista de operaciones con que se ejerce esa contemplación; el texto añade que sus grados solo se aprenden operando.

«Seek first the Kingdom of GOD, and his Justice by Prayer, and all other things, which Man seeks in these Temporals, and he hath need of, either for the sustentation or health of his body, shall be added to you.» — aplica la sentencia evangélica al orden del trabajo: la salud del cuerpo se sigue de la oración, no se busca en su lugar.

«Next to the Theory, which researcheth out the inmost properties of things, follows Preparation, which is performed by Operations of the hands, that some real work may be produced.» — la tercera cabeza queda definida por el trabajo de las manos, después de que la teoría haya buscado las propiedades íntimas.

«From Preparation ariseth Knowledge, viz. Such, as opens all the fundamentals of Medicine.» — invierte el orden esperado: el conocimiento médico no precede a la preparación, nace de ella.

«Operation shews how all things may be brought to light, and exposed to sight visibly: but knowledge shews the practice; and that, whence the true Practitioner is, and is no other then confirmation:» — reparte los papeles entre operación y conocimiento, y llama confirmación a lo que hace al verdadero practicante.

«it is possible that a Medicament diligently prepared, and exhibited in due weight, may do more hurt then good in some Diseases, and eem to be Venom rather then Medicine.» — límite que el propio autor pone a la cuarta cabeza: ni la buena preparación ni el peso justo bastan si la enfermedad no lo admite; el volumen imprime *eem* (sic) por seem.

«Therefore the bottom of every Disease is to be knwon, that it may be understood, whether the same may be cured by external remedies only, or must from within be driven outwards.» — de ahí la exigencia diagnóstica que ordena todo el tramo médico: primero el fondo de la enfermedad, después el remedio; el volumen imprime *knwon* (sic) por known.

«For if the Center of the Disease by within, such a Medicine must be given, as can search out, apprehend and restore that Center; otherwise the Physicians labour will be fruitless and in vain.» — enuncia la regla en su forma fuerte: al centro interno solo llega una medicina capaz de buscarlo y restaurarlo.

«Physician ought well to know, whether his Medicament will be weak or strong, also whether it will do good, or hurt, unless he resolve to fatten the church yard, and with the loss of his fame, and hazard of his own soul.» — la ignorancia de la dosis se cobra, en su formulación, el cementerio, la fama y el alma.

«Moreover, if there be an internal Disease, which ariseth, and is fed from an internal Original, it must never be driven inward by external remedies; for great discommodity will thence ensue, and at length Death itself.» — prohibición explícita: el remedio externo aplicado a un mal de origen interno lo empuja hacia dentro.

«Therefore there is great difference between fresh wounds inflicted by Prick, Cut, or any other way, and the old which derive their Original from within.» — la distinción que sostiene toda la doctrina de la quinta cabeza: herida fresca contra mal antiguo de origen interno.

«For the fresh wounds may be perfectly cured by external remedies only; but in those, which are nourished from within, an external application of Oyls, Balsoms, Unguents, and Plaisters profits little, unless the Internal Fountain be stopped,» — el corolario práctico: aceites, bálsamos, ungüentos y emplastos sirven de poco mientras la fuente interna siga abierta.

«When the Fountain shall be stopped, the Flux will cease, and the evil may easily be cured with Diet only.» — y su consecuencia: cerrada la fuente, la dieta basta.

«It is no great point of Art to heal any fresh wound; for this every Country-man can easily effect with crude Lard: but to remove all Symptomes which happen in wounds, and to dry up the Fountain of the evil, this is the work, and this the labour of the Artist.» — sitúa el arte no en la curación sino en la supresión de la fuente, y usa al campesino con manteca cruda como término de comparación.

«Now come hither, you physicians, how many so ever there be of you, that arrogate to your selves the Title of Doctor of either Medicine, viz. of internal and external Diseases; understand ye the Title of your honour, and consult your own Conscience, and see, whether you recieved that from GOD, that is, possess it in verity, or whether you usurp it as a form, for honour sake.» — abre la invectiva contra los médicos titulados: el criterio que propone no es académico sino de conciencia y de origen.

«as much as Heaven is distant from the Earth, so vastly different is the Art of healing internal Diseases, from the Sanation of external wounds.» — la razón por la que niega que un mismo título cubra las dos medicinas.

«If the Title be given to you by GOD, the same GOD will give a Blessing, Felicity, Health and happy events; but if your Title be vain, and only devised and assumed for ambition, all things will evilly succeed to you: your honour will fail, and you will prepare for your self Hell-fire, which can no more be extinguished,» — la sanción que anuncia al título usurpado, en el mismo registro devoto de la primera cabeza.

«For Christ said to his Disciples; You call me Lord and Master, and ye do well, Therefore whosoever assumes a Title of Honour, let him see, whether he do well, and whether he ascribes not more to himself, than he knows and hath learned, which is the real abuse of this Title.» — define el abuso del título por exceso entre lo que se atribuye y lo aprendido, apoyándose en el dicho evangélico.

«Nor should he be ignorant of Anatomy, that he may be able to shew the Constitution of the Body, and discover from what Member every Disease proceeds, together with its Fountain and cause.» — añade la anatomía a lo exigible, ligada de nuevo a localizar la fuente.

«In times past, long before my days, the Doctors of Medicine did themselves cure External wounds, and judged that a part of their Office; but in these times, they take Servants, whom they employ» — narra como decadencia la delegación de la cirugía en sirvientes, y fecha el cambio antes de su propio tiempo.

«These, I say, profess, themselves Masters in curing wounds, and Doctors of Doctors; and to speak the truth as it is, they may by a better right glory in this Title, they thou magnificent Doctor, umbratical Chyrugion, and most ignorant Boaster of Titles, why do you style yourself Doctor of either medicine?» — concede a esos sirvientes el título con mejor derecho que a sus amos; el volumen imprime *they thou* (sic) donde el sentido pide than.

«I pray be not offended at this, or take it amiss; for you your self will quickly confess, if you do but seriously consider wounds made by Prick or Cut, that you have as much knowledge in the cure of them, as is in the Brain of a dunghill Cock, which Children learning their A.B.C. are wont to set in the Frontispiece of their Primer.» — remata la invectiva con la imagen del gallo de estercolero del abecedario infantil.

«If prayer effected no other thing, it certainly collects the mind (called away from all other things) into it self and renders it apt for that which is in hand;» — [Kirkringus] su primera anotación reduce la eficacia de la oración a un efecto comprobable en el taller: recoge la mente y la vuelve apta para lo que se tiene entre manos.

«And so by the help of Prayer we receive many things, which we (if not ungrateful) must needs acknowledge we have obtained from GOD.» — [Kirkringus] y de ahí deriva el reconocimiento debido, sin entrar a juzgar la piedad del autor, que dice no querer alabar ni vituperar.

«That also is of use in dissolving all Riddles, or Enigmatical Writings: For if you burn with a great desire of knowing them, that is Prayer;» — [Kirkringus] extiende ese mismo mecanismo a la lectura de los escritos enigmáticos: el deseo ardiente de entenderlos ya es oración, y la meditación es cooperación.

«when Prayer is made with a Heart not feigned, but sincere; you will see that there is nothing more fit for the acquiring of what you desire.» — [Kirkringus] el comentarista suscribe la exigencia del autor, y la formula como aptitud del medio antes que como mérito.

«Let these suffice to be spoken of Prayer, which Basilius and all Philosophers with him do not vainly require, as an Introduction to Chymistry.» — [Kirkringus] adjudica el requisito no solo al autor sino a los filósofos con él, y lo llama introducción a la química.

«Attend to the words of the Author, and you will see, that he perfectly knew that Spirit penetrating all things, which presides or bears rule in all things, yet is involved and absconded matter and defilements on every side; from which if once freed, it returns to the purity of its own substance, in which it produceth all things, and is all in all.» — [Kirkringus] su lectura de la teoría del autor: un espíritu que penetra y rige todo, envuelto en materia e inmundicias, que liberado vuelve a su pureza.

«Manual Operation is chiefly required in this third Part, without which, every Operation, like a Ship wanting Ballast, floats and is uncertain» — [Kirkringus] sitúa la operación manual en el centro de la tercera cabeza, con el símil del barco sin lastre; la cita recorta el asterisco con que el volumen marca la anotación.

«It is difficult to express this with a Pen; for more is learned by once seeing the work done, then can be taught by the writing of many Pages; yet if it be no offence to you, to peruse these Commentaries together with Basilius (in this so necessary part) will not a little help.» — [Kirkringus] declara el límite de la escritura frente a ver hacer la obra, y con ese límite justifica sus propios comentarios.

«By Use, the Authour understands what others call Dose; for what will a good Medicine profit you, if you know not in what quantity to administer it» — [Kirkringus] traduce el término del autor al vocabulario médico corriente.

«By experience only to learn this, is a work full of perilous casuality, yet the Discipline or knowledge of Doses was found out this way first, and afterward easily taught by Words.» — [Kirkringus] admite el peligro de aprender la dosis por experiencia y a la vez lo consigna como origen histórico de la disciplina.

«although of Antimony I can affirm, that being duly prepared it is as harmless a medicine as Cassia or Manna.» — [Kirkringus] pone su propio testimonio: bien preparado, el antimonio le resulta tan inofensivo como la casia o el maná.

«That Indication is to be taken from things helping and hurting, is known even to Tyro’s.» — [Kirkringus] rebaja a lugar común lo que el autor expone, y a cambio pide atención para lo que sigue sobre curación interna y externa.

«All which with Basilius, we leave as unknown, to the Judgement of the Divine Knowledge.» — [Kirkringus] se suma a la abstención del autor sobre los espíritus de los elementos, después de recordar que los teólogos han sostenido opiniones diversas y los han adjudicado al fuego eterno.

«Nature seems to have made choice of this Mineral, therein to hide all her Treasures.» — [Kirkringus] su lectura del elogio del autor: la naturaleza eligió este mineral para esconder en él todos sus tesoros.

«Therefore not without reason hath Basilius made for it a Triumphant Chariot, which is daily enriched with Spoyls taken from the Camps of Ignorance.» — [Kirkringus] explica así el título del libro, y añade que nadie hasta su día ha podido experimentar todas las virtudes del mineral.

«this opens to you the first Gate, this will also unlock the last, which leads to the Palace of the King. But as I said, not only beleive, but also consider and observe» — [Kirkringus] pone su propia fe junto a la del autor y pide que a la creencia se sume la observación.

«He who obtains this Key, and knows the Method (which is called Manual Operation) by which to use it, and has strength to turn the same, will acquire Riches, and an open Passage unto the Mysteries of Chymistry.» — [Kirkringus] añade a la llave dos condiciones que el autor no explicita: conocer la operación manual y tener fuerza para girarla.

«Come hither you Traveller, stay your Journey here. Contemn not or flighty pass over this tautological, but not impertinent, Admonition; often in your mind have recourse to this Description of Beer, search, contemplate, and weigh all Things, perhaps in this turbid and famous Gulf, you will find the Fish you look not for» — [Kirkringus] señala la comparación cervecera como pasaje capital y admite que es tautológica sin dejar de recomendarla.

«I know not any Collyrium will profit you:» — [Kirkringus] cierre de esa misma anotación: si ni con esa luz se ve, dice no conocer colirio que sirva.

«Believe, read, meditate, labour, and spare the use of so many Chymical Books, which distract you with the Error of various ways, this one tells you all things.» — [Kirkringus] recomienda restringir la lectura a este volumen frente a la dispersión de la literatura química.

«Chymists overcame by the Justice of their Cause, but were overcome by Number: yet, having verity and goodness on their side, thy fought with so great Confidence, as they were certainly assured they should bear away the Victory; which our Author here shews, and Paracelsus (prophesying of the Coming of Elias the Artist) did presage would be.» — [Kirkringus] sitúa la polémica del autor en una historia de la química y trae a Paracelso y su profecía de Elias el Artista; el volumen imprime *thy* (sic) por they.

«And certainly unto me (seriously considering how greatly chymists have in these times improved their Knowledge) the Dawning of that Day hath opened itself, since I behold so many Rays of the approaching Sun.» — [Kirkringus] fecha desde su presente el cumplimiento de esa profecía, hablando de rayos del sol que se acerca.

«Poets do often posit in the midst of their Poems, Histories or Fables of Princes, that by a continued Series of Things, they may the more easily attain their End, which is to delight their Readers: Chymists for another end use the same Medium.» — [Kirkringus] explica el desorden aparente del tratado comparándolo con la digresión de los poetas, y advierte que en los químicos el fin es otro.

«For since their purpose is to teach the Readers so, as they may only be understood by those, who wholly devote themselves with a fervent desire to the Study of that Science, they keep not that Order, which proceeds from the beginning to the End by Mediums.» — [Kirkringus] adjudica el desorden a una intención de filtrar lectores, no a descuido.

«but by and by turning from this Discourse, he answers an Objection, before it is made by Interrogation; viz. whether from Antimony all its Venom may be taken away, the possibility of which he proves by very profitable and significant Examples.» — [Kirkringus] describe la técnica argumentativa del autor: contestar la objeción antes de que se formule.

«You, who read this most simple Comparison of Steel and a Flint, slack the Reins of your Admiration, and seriously ask yourself, whether there can be found out anyway or Method, by which from this Stone and Cold Iron may be extracted, a Substance, of which one only Grain (but why do I speak of a Grain?) of which the hundred part of a Grain can in a very short time Convert a great Mass of some rude Matter, into the most splendid and most pretious of all Things; yea, into fire most profitable for Mankind?» — [Kirkringus] lee el ejemplo del pedernal como cifra de la transmutación y lo formula en pregunta al lector.

«This is possible, and is dayly done, when the fixed is made Volatile, and the Volatile again fixed.» — [Kirkringus] contesta su propia pregunta con la fórmula operativa de fijo y volátil, y la declara cosa de todos los días.

«Here again the Author waxeth hot against false Physicians; but do you read on, and after this Heat he will give you a profitable Doctrine, which you may soon find in Aqua Fortis and Spirit of Wine.» — [Kirkringus] señala las invectivas del autor como digresiones de temperamento y orienta al lector hacia lo que sigue.

«Rightly doth Basilius say, he writes to the Tyro’s of this Art, because he begins with the Glass of Antimony, that is, from the very Rudiments of Chymistry, and so accurately teacheth to make that, as no man how ignorant soever can be deceived therein» — [Kirkringus] repite el destinatario que el autor declara y explica por qué empieza por el vidrio.

«For although I did for several years most diligently read Basilius and other Masters of the Art of Arts, and in Labouring following them, as exactly as possibly I could, yet I committed so many Errors (the rememberance of which fills me with Horror) lost so much Money, and was so often constrained to amend those Errors with labour, as I have compassion of all Those, who would enter into this way, incited thereunto by their earnest desire to help their Neighbours:» — [Kirkringus] declara años de lectura y fracaso propios como razón de escribir sus comentarios.

«But do you, who are endued with a more noble Spirit, First seek the Kingdom of GOD, which is either constituted or propagated by Charity to your Neighbour, and all other Things, which other men so impiously seek, shall spontaneously (which is the bounty of GOD) be added to you.» — [Kirkringus] repite la sentencia evangélica del autor y la glosa como caridad al prójimo.

«I need to use no great Arguments to persuade any man to read those Commentaries; for every One’s own Business will sufficiently admonish him, when he shall see me often with one word, and a most simple Animadversion to save him so great Charges, which he hath too frequently bestowed in labouring without success.» — [Kirkringus] justifica sus anotaciones por el ahorro material que promete al operador.

«I do here candidly profess to thee, studious Reader, had the Manual Operations been as sincerely showed to me, as I here open them, I should have saved a great Sum of Money; for I very often erred, when I would over eagerly prosecute certain Processes of others, and by that vain endeavour, lost some Thousands of Florens.» — [Kirkringus] cifra su propio gasto en varios miles de florines.

«I shall not here institute a Tyrocinium of Chymistry, as other Authors, well known to young Beginners, have already done; but I am willing, by Admonition to help those, who long since could loose this Subject from its Bonds, and with most fervent desire design to arive to the Goal exposed to their Eyes and Mind, least either slippery Blood in the Way, or Entellus now lying prostrate, should hinder them from gaining the proposed Reward, which is Riches and Health.» — [Kirkringus] delimita su libro frente a los manuales de iniciación y cita la carrera fúnebre de la Eneida como figura del tropiezo.

«This is now the Common, and well known way of making Glass of Antimony, which is profitable in many Operations: but to administer it so to the Sick without Distinction, is a Work full of» — [Kirkringus] objeta al procedimiento común no su preparación sino su administración indiscriminada; el tramo corta en el cambio de plana.

«For I have seen a Sick man, who after he had taken but half an ounce of the Infusion, vomited and purged above measure, and soon after died.» — [Kirkringus] aporta un caso propio de muerte por media onza de la infusión, dentro de una obra que defiende el remedio.

«hence are those Tears, hence those Clamours arise against Chymists, as if the impious rashness of some false Chymists were to be imputed to the Art, which PseudoChymists care not how many Houses they fill with Funerals, provided one or two that are healed will blaze their Fame, and they can hear themselves called Doctors, and rob the simple of their money.» — [Kirkringus] separa el arte de los falsos químicos y describe el cálculo de estos: uno o dos curados bastan para la fama.

«The reason of this great danger is, because all the Emetick force of Antimony contained in the fixed Salt thereof, in which resides all its Venenosity, which weak Natures cannot overcome, and therefore receive not so much good from the Salutiferous virtue thereof, as hurt from its Venom.» — [Kirkringus] localiza el peligro en la sal fija y lo mide por la resistencia del enfermo.

«But this thing should not deter sound men from the use of Antimony, since they see it, even then when mixed with Venom, often to produce salutary Effects.» — [Kirkringus] saca del mismo peligro un argumento a favor del mineral.

«They should rather thus reason; if that salutiferous Virtue be freed fromt he Noxious faculty, what Good would it not do, or what Diseases would it not heal» — [Kirkringus] formula ese argumento en condicional; el volumen imprime *fromt he* (sic) por from the.