Page 27 - Book of Composition

Morienus : The matter is thus changed in only confection or form: but by
how much the fire receives its colours, so much the more they add
diversity of names unto it. Whereupon Dautyn [Zosimus] the philosopher
said to Euticus [Theosebeia] : “I will show unto you, that the wise men
have multiplied the dispositions or confections of this Magistery for no
other cause, but that the wise and prudent might be instructed in this
Magistery, and that the ignorant and foolish might be utterly blinded
therein.” Because this Magistery has one name, and that is imputed
proper unto it: so also it has one disposition. and one lineal way. And in
this sort, although the wise men have changed the names of it, and their
own sayings, yet they would understand but one thing and one
disposition.
Therefore (O good king) let it suffice you hitherto have searched, and
sought after such things. For the wise men which have been before our
time have named many confections, many weights, and many colours.
And so they made allegories of their speeches to the common people, yet
they did not lie in them, but they spoke as it seemed good unto
themselves, all which was done to deceive the simple and ignorant.

King Calid : Let this which you have spoken suffice, concerning the
nature and substance of it. And now vouchsafe to instruct me in the
colour of it: because I would not that you should confer with me of any
matter under allegories or similitudes.

Morienus : It was the custom of the wise men, that they always made
their Assos of it, and with it. Assos in the Arabic tongue, is in the Latin
tongue ‘Lumen’, and in English a ‘Light’, and this they did before they
would tinct any thing with it. O king, do these things suffice you which I
speak, or shall we return to more ancient testimonies: and if you desire
an example, then mark the words of Datyn [Zosimus] the philosopher,
for he says, “Our Laton although first it be red, yet it is unprofitable : but
if after the redness it be made white, then it is of much force.” Therefore
for this cause the same Datyn says to Euticus : “O Euticus these things
should remain firm, and altogether well to be credited ; for the wise men
have thus said of this : Now we have taken away the blackness, and have
fixed the whiteness with salt Anatron, that is, with saltpeter, and
almizader [sal ammoniac] whose complexion is cold and dry. Wherefore
we give this name borrexa [borax] unto it, which in the Arabic tongue is
called ‘Tincar’.”
And the saying of Datyn the philosopher is confirmed by Hermes, for he
saith : “first there is blackness, then follows whiteness with salt Anatron :

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