

discovered by Alexander the Great. The inscription on the 

 emerald read as follows : 



"I speak not of fictitious things but of that which is most certain 

 and true. Whatsoever is below is like that which is above, and 

 that which is above is similar to that which is below to accomp- 

 lish the miracles of one thing. And as all things were produced 

 by the meditation of one Being, so all things were produced from 

 this one thing by adaptation. Its father is Sol, its mother Luna; 

 the wind carried it in its belly, the earth is its nurse. It is the 

 cause of all perfection throughout the whole earth. Its power is 

 perfect, if it be changed into earth. Separate the earth from the 

 fire the subtile from the gross, acting prudently and with judg- 

 ment. Ascend with the greatest sagacity from the earth to heaven, 

 and then again descend to the earth, und unite together the 

 powers of things superior and things inferior. Thus you will 

 possess the glory of the whole world, and all obscurity will fly 

 far away from you. This thing has more fortitude than fortitude 

 itself, because it will overcome every subtile thing and penetrate 

 every solid thing. By it this world was formed. Hence proceed 

 wonderful things which in this wise were established. For this 

 reason I am called Hermes Trismegistus, because I possess three 

 parts of the philosophy of the whole world. What I had to say 

 about the operation of Sol is completed." 



In discussing this ancient parable Dee preferred to give a 

 theological interpretation to it, whereas the Emperor main- 

 tained it was the key to hermetic philosophy. Dr. Dee then 

 remarked that it reminded him of another enigma of unknown 

 origin : 



''If ye wolle to thys Medycyn aplye, 

 Make furst hevy, hard, hotte and drye: 

 Nesshe, lyght, cold and wete, 

 Put ham togeder and make ham mete, 

 Thus may ye spend mor thann the King, 

 Yf ye have connyng of suche a thynge." 



Doctor Dee found that Rudolph desired to learn more of 

 the famous English and French masters in science, and he 

 informed his Majesty of the celebrated Franciscan monk Roger 

 Bacon who flourished in the thirteenth century. He told 



35 



