Page 10 - Book of Composition

The book of alchemy
Translated out of the Arabic tongue into Latin

The preface of Robert of Chester

We have read in the histories of ancient divines that there have been
three philosophers, of which every one was called Hermes. The first of
them was Enoch, which by one name was called Hermes and by another
name was called Mercurius. The second was Noah, which in the like sort
was named both Hermes and Mercurius, and the third of them was
Hermes which after the flood reigned in Egypt, and held that kingdom a
long time and he is called by three names of our predecessors, that is by
reason of his triple collection of virtues, attributed unto him by the Lord
God. And this man was both a king, a philosopher and a prophet. And
this is that Hermes, which after the flood was the first finder out and
setter forth of all arts and disciplines, both liberal and mechanical. For all
which have been after him have endeavored to imitate and follow him in
his steps. What should I say more?

It were too hard and much for us to bring presently into memory the
ornaments and the virtues of so great and worthy a man, when as we
have not taken in hand this kind of teaching in the translation of this
book: neither will the slenderness of our wit, or our study or leisure of
writing suffice to explain, and make manifest this thing unto you. And
therefore we have placed his name in the preface of this book, because he
was the first that brought this book to light. For this is a divine book, and
full of divinity, for in it the true and perfect probation of the two
Testaments (that is to say of the Old and of the New) is contained. For if
any man should study much in this book, and shall understand it fully,
the truth and virtue of the Testament, and also the order of both lives
shall be a sufficiently known unto him. But this is a book which is named
the Composition of Alchemy. And because your Latin has not as yet
truly understood what alchemy is, and what is its composition, I will

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