COPLAS BY DON LVIS DE ÇENTELLAS
By Luis de Centelles
PRESENTATION:
I present here three versions of the "Coplas de la Piedra Philosophal" attributed to the Valencian alchemist Luis de Centelles. Its edition serves as a complement to the critical introduction that has been published in this same issue of the magazine "Azogue" (1) . The chosen versions correspond to the Spanish tradition of the "Coplas". I have chosen to separate them into two sections.
In the first I have transcribed the oldest copy located so far (2) . It was completed in Italy in 1571 and based on evidence from internal criticism I believe it is the closest to the original, now lost, for which I assume a date of writing around 1550-1560. From the point of view of the strophic structure, these are couplets of high art made up of twenty-seven stanzas of eight twelve-syllable verses in the ABBAACCA scheme.
Two copies from the 17th century enter the second section (3) . Their internal differences demonstrate that there is no direct dependence between the two. They are based on the same version, now lost, which adds a final verse and is later than the Italian transcription of 1571. I have arranged these two 17th century versions in symmetrical columns that allow their differences to be compared. Among the most obvious changes is the alteration of the strophic order between octaves 6 and 17 of the Madrid copy. The Córdoba version omits some verses and adds five new couplets as a final summary.
Elena Castro Soler
3 DIFFERENT VERSIONS
1. - ELENA CASTRO SOLER & JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ GUERRERO, "Luis de Centelles y las Coplas de la Piedra Philosophal ", «Azogue», no. 4, 2001
2. - Barcelona (Spain), Col. Priv. Jordi Puig, Leg. 15, 16th century (1571), ff. 134v-137r.
3. - Madrid, National Library, Ms 2151, 17th century (1612), ff. 147r-150v. - Córdoba, Archive of the Cathedral of Córdoba, Ms 162, med. 17th century, ff. 27r-31r.
1. Transcription of the text contained in:
Barcelona (Spain), Col. Priv. Jordi Puig, Leg. 15, 16th century (1571), ff. 134v-137r.
/ Folio. 134v /
THEY ARE NOW THE COPLAS OF THE PHILOSOPHAL STONE COMPOSED BY LUIS CARROZ
1
Take the lady who dwells in heaven
you daughter of the sun without a doubt,
and this prepares in bagno de Luna
do wash your face of your black veil
then if you can in the sun and ice
in the same bathroom I have her in prison
until purged of its imperfection
be a star to us here on this ground.
2
Don't understand that it is the work of some animal
nor less is it a plant that grows in the ground
but she is a lady who lives in heaven
from there they downloaded this real work for us
and for us it is so Natural
that we heal all metals with it
and the imperfections become perfect
keeping the most important secret.
/ Folio. 135r /
3
And when you see the beautiful lady
thus prepared by our artificio
have them put it in another exercise
where it looks so wonderful.
Juntalda then with the other thing
by the magisterium where it is to be engendered
the noblest and most important son
That father and mother although she is very precious.
4
And what we said, what has to come together
for the marriage that is about to take place
I don't want you to ignore it because you know it
which is perfect gold and the most unique
let the wise men not deceive by dissimulating
that the sun and the moon suit the work
because Gold and Silver itself contains
and some experience will show it to you.
5
Understand, or operate, that it is necessary
that these two together of whom I have spoken
female and male we have named them,
because it is a marriage of a man and a muxer
lock them up then without stopping
don't hide the secret death
that makes life more perfect
According to the work you will be able to know.
6
And when you lock up the lovers
in a secret and dark prison of love
Don't forget and try to do this
that you put the weights that are already valued
three parts were counted to one
of wise men who write Philosophy
and so I tell you in this work of mine
May you follow the experienced men.
7
And since you had the strong metal
below the seal as necessary
remember to put it
to the fire of the belly of the strong animal
and there with the sorrow that is so unequal
the many veiled ones will come out in due time
their flesh and bones so disjointed
that almost seems like something mortal,
8
I don't want you to miss the road so quickly
well of course I'll tell you this digestion
It is the cause of life and regeneration
of the hidden son who lay dead
time to be silent either I wouldn't want to
What is a certain number of days forty?
and even if they were more, you don't miss the count
Well, more than perfect, the work would be serious.
/Folio. 135v /
9
You will have in memory the degrees of fire
where the infant is nourished and grows
look at it a lot don't die and fish
because it's cute, and then it gets lost.
Be strong first, and open yourself to the fire
always to destar and permaneçer
you will see him dressed to change his being,
and if you don't want this at all you will go blind.
10
and why don't you make a mistake in the operation
following continuous straight path:
pay attention to what you have done in vain
if it brings a path of dissolution
because this is what you see in its conclusion
with other signs of many beauty
that are a variety of so many colors
How much my verses relate to you
11
Well, white, I'll tell you first that she,
when magnesia they call it by name
which is both his being and renown
how great did he who knew how to make it
and if you want this don't be afraid to lose it
how black it turns after its color
Well this is the means of this beauty
How black the white maiden is.
12
Afterwards, dressed in so much sadness
you see the lady in such perfection
you will consider it very certain that the solution
of the body is already made of its beauty
from here it suits you with a lot of sanity
the media go from color to color
wherever we see perfect white
that makes white perfetta whiteness,
13
and even more so I want to tell you
that placed in the middle of these extremes
death and the life we want so much
It is caused in the way I want to show it
which is when you first see distill
the soul of the body by distillation
the body is buelbe by imbiuiçion
If it is passed without further delay.
/ Folio. 136r /
14
And in this way he preserves the path
which is already started because it's so sauer
that there is no other way to dissolve
the strength of the living serpentine animal
I tell you the fire to be continuous
never let the matter cool
because it is a secret that is the most unique
Many prudent people lost their senses.
15
And the other secret I don't want to keep quiet
that have even hidden the wise men who were
Well, in much of what they wrote
the least of that they wanted to show
therefore I absolutely want to name it
that you look at the step of imbibition
What comes after dissolution
where the work you cannot err.
16
I tell you what the same path is
that which life and death called
and this is the step where many are deceived
May your work fly from head to toe
and if you don't attend to another interest
You will know that I continue to reiterate like this
the Soul in the Body to be fixed
Just like you did the other time.
17
The fire first told you to be
very soft at the beginning of the solution
I tell you the same about the enueuiçion
Well, someone who didn't understand it would make a lot of mistakes.
since later the body was
very fixed in the white of his perfettion
I'm sure you have it from the strong dragon
Don't let him come into your house no matter what you do.
18
After you have already charged the body
his soul, perfect for imbibition
returns to a certain form of resurrection
as he who is glorified has it
who enjoys the gifts with which he is already endowed
with agility and a lot of wisdom
This is how this one will have with its subtlety
about that from which he was engendered
19
If later you want to pass
to the last degree and perfect heat
increase the fire without much fear
that there is no other way, nor other than to teach,
very red white is going to show you
that maid of all named
and here you are shown the awarded Work
if you know the sum to multiply.
/ Folio. 136v /
20
But the wise men who were
very cautiously in his writings
and what they said with so many figures
that as soon as the doors opened they wanted us
but the modern ones who succeeded them
and among them Arnaldo famously named
path leaves us and so illuminated
that those who did not succeed never got it right.
21
and because the Work that is thus appropriated
with a very rabid thirst for the past fire
lacks income because it has been lacking
the water of life that is already desired.
Take a part of this named water
with three of mercury that is not the bulgar
and then you can return it to the fire
as at the beginning it was started
22
and there with the degree of fire named
very white at first you will see dissoluer
the same matter that they have already mentioned
the red in the black very quickly exchanged
and then enueuado in the white fixed
then in the near future the end of the work
and so what was lost in this is collected
and very short time you have seen it
23
and because the path is completely fulfilled
that has already started so it will come to pass
do not miss the work of multiplying,
Well, it's with mercury from the finest bulk.
the shape and weight you will have continuously
written on your chest with great joy
and then one part with ten, I'm not lying to you,
It will be all perfect lapis and very fine
24
and from this last one that is multiplied
you must also increase again
a little with a hundred of the same metal
how do you do it first
and everything will be forced medicine
with which metals we now heal
and we will also follow the same mercury
of imperfection perfetto acauado.
25
And now, you have what you need
the work accomplished, perfetta acauada,
with so much tincture well fed,
how much my verses make you understand
do not ignore the way to proceed
about these metals that are yet to be cured
because only one part can be enough for you
with 100% of what you have to protect.
/ Folio. 137r /
26
Don't have a job or have passion
do what I say and understand if you want
Well, every time you solve the work
and conxelate it in a union
ten pesos are earned in the projection
until reaching a quento infinitto
Well, keep it a secret that what I wrote
It is hidden from everyone with great reason.
27
With this that I escauo, it appears fulfilled
the Work that I have seen with great truth
always give praise to the trinity
to the Father and the Son the retribution due
and the one who proceeded between us
damn those that the work discover
if they are not those who cover it up a lot
for I am not defended against such.
Finis
+
Laus deo semper et ubque gloria
Transcription of the text contained in the National Library, Ms 2151, 17th century, ff. 147r-150v.
COPLAS BY DON LUIS DE CENTELLAS ON THE PHILOSOPHAL STONE THERE ARE 28 COPLAS
1
Take the lady who dwells in heaven
you daughter of the sun without a doubt,
and this prepares in bagno de Luna
Do lick your face from your black veil
Afterwards, if you could, in the sun and in the ice.
in the same bathroom I had her in prison
until purged of its imperfection
Let us shine here on this ground.
2
Don't understand that it is the work of some animal
nor less is it a plant that grows in the ground
but she is a lady who lives in heaven
from there they download this real work to us
and for us it is so natural
that our bodies heal with it
and the imperfect perfect ones become
Of all secrets the most important.
3
And when you see the beautiful lady
thus prepared by our artifice
have them put it in another exercise
where it looks so wonderful.
Join then with the other thing
by the marriage where it is to be engendered
the noblest and most unique son
than father and mother and more precious.
4
And what we say is to be imitated
for the marriage that is to be made
I don't want you to ignore it because you have to know it
which is sol perfetto and the most unique
the wise do not deceive with dissimulation
that the sun and the moon are suitable for the work
because in themselves the moon and the sun contain
and experience has to show it to you.
5
Understand or operate what is necessary
that these two things of whom I have spoken
female and male we named them
because it is a marriage of a man and a woman
lock them up then without stopping
don't hide the secret death
which makes life more perfect
According to the work you will be able to know.
6
After dressed in such a mixture
You see the lady in such perfettion
you will consider it very certain that the solution
The body is made of its beauty
from here it suits you with a lot of sanity
the media go from color to color
wherever we see perfect whiteness
that makes white perfect whiteness,
7
and more because I want to warn you
that placed in the middle of these extremes
death and the life we want so much
It is caused in the way I want to show it
when you first see separate
the soul of the body by distillation
the body is buelbe by imbiuiçion
If it is passed without further delay.
8
And in this way he preserves the path
which is already started because that's how you know
that there is another way to dissolve
the strength of the strong serpentine animal
I tell you the fire to be continuous
Never let the matter cool
because it is a secret that is the most unique
Many prudent people lost their senses.
9
And the other secret I don't want to keep quiet
that have even hidden the wise men who were
Well, how much they stopped
the least of that they wanted to show
therefore I absolutely want to name it
that you look at the step of imbibition
What comes after dissolution
where you cannot shoe the work.
10
I tell you what the same path is
that which life and death called
and this is the step where many horseshoe
May your work fly from the cape to the feet
and if you do not attend to another interest
You will know that I continue to fight like this
the soul in the body to be fixed
just like you did the first time.
11
The fire first told you to leave
very soft at the beginning of the solution
I tell you the same thing, let it be the imbibition
Well, it would be a lot of work for those who didn't understand it.
since later the body would have
very fixed on white and in its perfection
I'm sure you have it from the strong thief
Don't let him come into your house no matter what you do.
12
And when you lock up the lovers
in a secret and dark prison of love
Don't forget and try this
that you put the weights that are already valued
three parts were counted to the fifth
of wise men who write philosophy
and I tell you this because it is my work
may you follow the experienced wise men.
13
And when you see the strong metal
below the seal as necessary
remember to put it
to the fire of the belly of the strong animal
and now with the shame that it is so unequal
the many veiled ones will come out in due time
their faces and guesses so unexpected
with which you return them to their principal,
14
I don't want you to ruin the way in this
and of course I tell you that it is digestion
which is the cause of life and regeneration
of the hidden son who was dead
time would not want to be silent either
What is a certain number of days forty?
and even if they were more, don't hurt the account
Well, the work would be more than perfect.
15
You will have in memory the degrees of fire
where the infant is nourished and grows
look at it a lot, don't incur and fish
because it is terniçiuo and to get lost later
make an effort first, and get used to the fire
always to destar and permaneçer
you will see him dressed and changed his being
and if you don't see this at all you are blind.
16
and why don't you screw up in the operation
continuing straight ahead
pay attention to what you have done in vain
if it brings a path of dissolution
because this is what you see in its conclusion
with these signs of many beauty
which are a variety of so many colors
How much my verses relate to you
17
Well, white, first I tell you what she is.
when magnesia they call it by name
which is both his worth and renown
how great did he who knew how to do it
and if you see this don't be afraid of losing it
how black it turns after its color
because this is the means of this beauty
How black the white maiden is.
18
After the body has been collected
the perfect Soul through imbibition
There is a certain form of resurrection
as the glorified one has it
who enjoys the gifts with which he is already endowed
with agility and a lot of wisdom
so it will have this one with its subtlety
about that from which he was begotten
19
If later you want to pass
to the last degree and perfetto balor
increase the fire with great fear
that there is no other way than to teach
very red white will be shown to you
that maiden of all named
and here you see the finished work
if you know the work of multiplying
20
but the wise men who were hid this
with great caution in his writings
that as soon as the doors opened they did not want to
and so they took us to the dark places
but the modern ones who succeeded them
and among them Arnaldo famously named
path leaves us and so illuminated
that those who did not succeed never got it right
21
and because the stone that is thus watered
with being very rauiossa of the past fire
lacks income because it has been lacking
the wastewater from which it is dried
take a part of this named water
with three of mercury that is not the bulgar
and then you can return it to the fire
as at the beginning it was started
22
and there with the degree of fire named
very soft in principle you will see dissolver
the same matter that they have already mentioned
the red in the black very quickly exchanged
and then immersed in the white fixed
then in the red that is the end of the work
and so what was lost in these is collected
and in a short time it will be finished
23
and because the path is completely fulfilled
which has already begun so it must be completed
don't screw up the way to multiply
Well, it's with mercury from the finest bulk.
the shape and weight you will have continuously
written on your chest with great joy
and from this one part with ten I do not lie to you
It will all be perfect and very fine lapis
24
of the latter thus multiplied
you have to multiply again
a weight with a cent of the same bulgar
how do you do it first
and everything will be forced medicine
What metals do we cure with now?
and to the same mercury too if we want
of imperfection perfect finish.
25
And now, you have what you need
the perfect completed stone finished
with so much well-fed mixture
how many my meters give you to understand
do not ignore the way to proceed
about these metals that are yet to be cured
because only one part can be enough for you
with a hundred of those who thus protect
26
do not take fatigue nor have passion
do what I say and understand if you want
that every time you solve the stone
and freeze it in a vna vnion
ten pesos are earned in the projection
until reaching a limit of infinity
Well, keep it secret that what I wrote
from everyone it is hidden with great reason
27
with this that I finished he shows himself fulfilled
what I have seen with great truth
always give praise to the trinity
and to the father and the son because he is indebted to them
and the one who proceeded between us
damn those that the work discover
if they are not those who cover it up a lot
because I am not defended against such.
28
I don't want you to blame me for what I've said
Well, I'm telling you that it's true.
not even in these my verses there is no contradiction
not even like the others I say it doubled
try to understand very carefully
the glass and materials in which to work
and by not doing it you are deceiving yourself
and you will find yourself completely mocked.
Finis Veritatis.
Transcription of the text contained in the Archive of the Cathedral of Córdoba, Ms 162, 17th century, ff. 27r-31r.
COPLAS BY DON LUIS DE CENTELLAS ON THE PHILOSOPHAL STONE
1
Take the lady who is born in heaven
you daughter of the sun without a doubt,
and prepare this in a moon bath
do wash your face of your black veil
Afterwards, if you could, in the sun and in the ice.
in the same bathroom I kept her in prison
until purged of its imperfection
A star will be born here on the ground.
2
Don't understand that it is the work of some animal
nor less is it a plant that grows in the ground
but she is a lady who rises to heaven
From there they download this real work to us
and for us it is so natural
that our bodies heal with it
..........
Of all secrets the most important.
3
And when you see the beautiful lady
thus prepared by our artifice
have them put it in another exercise
where it looks so wonderful.
Join then with the other thing
by the magisterium where it is to be generated
the noblest and most important son
than the father, and the mother, although she is very precious.
4
And what we say must come together
for the marriage that is to be made
I don't want you to ignore it because you have to know it
which is perfect gold and the most unique
let the wise men not deceive with dissimulation
..........
because in itself Gold and Silver are convenient
and some experience will show you that.
5
Understand, oh operator, that it is necessary
that these two together of whom I have spoken
female and male we have named them,
because it is a marriage of man and woman
lock them up then without stopping
do not hinder the secret death
that makes life more perfect
According to the work you will be able to know.
6
And when you lock up the lovers
in a secret and dark prison of love
Don't forget and try this
three pesos to one were counted
three parts were counted to one
of wise men who write Philosophy
and so I tell you in this work of mine
May you follow the experienced men.
7
And since you see the strong metal
under the seal as necessary
remember to put it
to the fire of the belly of the strong animal
and there with the sorrow that is so unequal
the many veiled ones will come out in due time
their flesh and bones so disjointed
that it almost seems that it is a mortal thing,
8
I don't want you to miss the road so quickly
Well, of course I tell you, this digestion
It is the cause of life and generation
of the hidden son who lay dead
time would not want to be silent either
What is a certain number of days forty?
and even if there were more, you wouldn't miss the count
Well, the work would be more than perfect.
9
You will have in memory the degrees of fire
where the infant is nourished and grows
look at it a lot, don't die and perish
because it's cute, and it has to be lost later.
Be strong first, and open yourself to fire
always to destar and remain
You will see his clothes change, and his being,
and if you don't see this at all you will go blind.
10
and why don't you make a mistake in the operation
and continue continuing on the right path:
look and understand what you have done
if it brings a path of dissolution
because it's so much to see in its conclusion
with other signs of many beauty
which are a variety of so many colors
How much my verses relate to you
11
Well, white, I'll tell you first what she is.
when magnesia they call it by name
which is both his being and renown
how great did he who knew how to make it
and if you see this don't be afraid to lose it
how black it turns after its color
because this is the means of this beauty
May the white maiden become black.
12
Then, dressed in so much sadness
you see the lady in such perfection
you will be very certain that the solution
of the body is already made of its beauty
from here it suits you with a lot of sanity
the media go from color to color
wherever we see perfect whiteness
that makes white perfect whiteness,
13
and more because I want to warn you
that placed in the middle of these extremes
death and the life we want so much
It is caused in the way I want to show it
which is when you first see distill
the soul of the body by distillation
the body becomes buelbe due to imbiuition
If it is passed without further delay.
14
And in this way he preserves the path
which is already begun because that's how you know
that there is no other way to dissolve
the strength of the strong serpentine animal
I tell you the fire to be continuous
never let the matter cool
because it is a secret that is the most unique
Many prudent people lost their senses.
15
And the other secret I don't want to keep quiet
that have even hidden the wise men who were
Well, in much of what they wrote
the least of that they wanted to show
therefore I absolutely want to name it
that you look at the step of imbibition
What comes after the (...)
where you cannot shoe the work.
16
I tell you what the same path is
that which life and death called
and this is the step where many are deceived
May your work fly from head to toe
and if you don't attend to another interest
You will know that I continue to reiterate
the Soul and the body to be fixed
just as, well, you did again.
17
The fire first told you to go
very soft at the beginning of its primacy
and I tell you the same thing about the imbibition
Well, it would be a lot of work for those who didn't understand it.
Well, afterward, the body was
very fixed in the white of his perfection
I'm sure you have it from the strong dragon
Don't let him come into the house no matter what you do.
18
After you have already charged the body
his Soul, perfect by imbibition
There is a certain form of resurrection
as he who is glorified has it
who enjoys the gifts with which he is already endowed
with agility and great liveliness
This is how it will have this one with its subtlety
about that from which he was begotten
19
If later you want to pass
to the last degree and perfect heat
increase the fire without much fear
that there is no other way, nor more than to teach,
very red white must be shown to you
that maiden of all named
and here you see the finished work
if you know the sum to multiply.
20
But the wise men who were
very cautiously in his writings
and what they said with so many figures
that as soon as the doors opened they wanted us
but the moderns that succeeded them
and among them Arnaldo famously named
path leaves us and so illuminated
that those who are not blind see it in the dark.
21
and because the Work is almost finished
with a very rabid thirst for the past fire
He lacks income because he has lacked
the water of life that is already desired.
Take a part of this named water
with three of mercury that is not the vulgar
and then you can return it to the fire
as at the beginning it was started
22
and there with the degree of fire named
very white at first you will see it dissolve
the same matter that must imbibe it
the red in the black very poor tornado.
After imbibing, in the white tornado
then in the red that is the end of the work
and so what was lost in this is collected
and very short time to see you have finished
23
and because the path is completely fulfilled
which has already begun so it will end
do not miss the work of multiplying,
because it is with mercury of the finest common people
the shape and weight you will have continuously
written on your chest with great joy
and then one part with ten, I'm not lying to you,
It will all be perfect and very fine lapis
24
and of this last one that is multiplied
you must also increase again
a little with a hundred of the same metal
how do you do it first
and everything will be forced medicine
with which bodies we will heal like this
and we will also follow the same mercury
of imperfection perfect finish.
25
And now, you have what you need
the work completed, perfectly finished,
with so much tincture well fed,
how much my verses make you understand
..........
about these metals that are yet to be cured
because only one part can be enough for you
what a hundred, of what you have to (...).
26
don't have a job or have passion
do what I say and understand if you want
Well, every time you see the work
and freeze it in a union
ten pesos are earned in the projection
until reaching a limit of infinity
Well, keep it secret that what I have written
It is hidden from everyone with great reason.
27
With this, which is done, it is shown to be fulfilled
the work that I have seen with much truth;
always give praise to the trinity
to the Father and the Son due retribution
and the one who proceeded between us
damn those that the work discover
if they are not those who cover it up a lot
because I am not defended against such.
28
I don't want you to blame me for what I've said
Well, I tell you that it is true.
not even in these my verses there is no contradiction
not even like the others I say it doubled
try to understand very carefully
the glass and materials in which it has to be worked
and by not doing it you have to deceive yourself
for which you will be completely sorry.
29
Subject
They are three sisters in one nature
the two of them fixed, from the sun already perfect
bodies are called bright, and clear,
dressed in noble and royal clothing
the other, not fixed, of pure matter
from whom these others by line descend
..........
..........
30
Preparation
After making such a foundation
to destroy the furious virtue
corrupts bodies by putrefaction
and the anima undergoes such washing.
But open the eyes of understanding,
If you want to become a gentle talker;
that in the bath the infant is purged and washed;
because it cooks good nutrition.
31
Dissolution
For this regiment they call themselves married
the body, and the Soul that you thus prepared
Afterwards, you locked them up in their chambers
that in their own strength they are strong;
and in the first matter tornadoes
The husband embraces his sweet wife,
and she is pregnant with such a noble son;
that overcomes the force of the two veiled ones.
32
Fixation
In the midst of the fires of great temperance
the child receives complete firmness,
so much is done with more strength,
as long as the fires caused delay
always reiterate the solution
..........
You will see a work of great strength.
33
augmentation
When you see him come out crowned
to the crystalline King dressed in Sapwood
mix the live with great measure
and with very little part of what has already been established.
Be like this all the bathroom tornado
because it can be turned into oil
In a very short time you will see it set
with the teaching profession, which has ended here
Laudetur Xtus.