Page 24 - Book of Composition

Here begins the interrogation of King Calid
and the answers of Morienus concerning all those matters
on which the workmanship of the Magistery of Hermes is

approved to consist.

King Calid: O Morienus it seems good to me first to demand, what the
principle substance and matter of this thing is, or whether they be many
things, or whether it be affected of one thing only?

Morienus: Everything, until it be known by its effect, is approved more
true by the testimony of many things. But before I bring more ancient
testimonies here before you, I will first unfold this one thing, which we
have often tried, concerning the principal substance and a matter of it.
And if you will rightly consider those things which I shall speak, and
thoroughly look into the testimonies of ancient men, you shall plainly
perceive that we all agree in one and all that we speak to be true.
Therefore that which you have demanded understand thus: There is one
first and principal substance and matter of this thing, and of it there is
one thing, and it is made with it, neither is there anything added unto it,
nor taken from it. And now you have that which you demanded.
But now I will declare to you the testimonies of the ancient men, that we
may be judged to agree all in one. Heraclius, that prudent king and
philosopher, being demanded of certain of his friends, he said: “This
Magistery proceeds first of one root, and afterwards it is spread into
many things, and again returns to one thing. And know that it is
necessary to receive aire.” Also Arsicanus the philosopher says : “The
four elements, that is to say, heat, cold, moisture and dryness, proceed of
one fountain, and certain other things of them are made of others of
them. But of these four there are as it were certain roots, and certain
things as it were compounded of these roots. But those which are the
roots are water and fire, and those which are compounded of these are
earth and air.” Likewise Arsicanus unto Maria said : “Our water hath our
earth excelling it, which is great, clear, and pure. For the earth is created
of the grossness of the water.”

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