Herald Tablet



Newton's translation

One translation, by Isaac Newton, found among his alchemical papers as reported by B. J. Dobbs in modern spelling:

  1. Tis true without lying, certain most true.
  2. That which is below is like that which is above that which is above is like that which is below to do the miracles of one only thing.
  3. And as all things have been arose from one by the mediation of one: so all things have their birth from this one thing by adaptation.
  4. The Sun is its father, the moon its mother,
  5. the wind hath carried it in its belly, the earth its nurse.
  6. The father of all perfection in the whole world is here.
  7. Its force or power is entire if it be converted into earth.
    • Separate thou the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross sweetly with great industry.
  8. It ascends from the earth to the heaven again it descends to the earth and receives the force of things superior and inferior.
  9. By this means ye shall have the glory of the whole world thereby all obscurity shall fly from you.
  10. Its force is above all force. for it vanquishes every subtle thing and penetrates every solid thing.
    • So was the world created.
  11. From this are and do come admirable adaptations whereof the means (Or process) is here in this.
  12. Hence I am called Hermes Trismegist, having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole world.
  13. That which I have said of the operation of the Sun is accomplished and ended.