The abyss of time

I do not deny that a Stone has Reason, or doth partake of the Rational Soul of Nature as well as Man doth, because it is part of the same Matter Man consists of; but yet it has not animal or humane sense and reason, because it is not of animal kind; but being a Mineral, it has Mineral sense and reason: for it is to be observed, that as Animate self-moving Matter moves not one and the same way in all Creatures, so there can neither be the same way of knowledg and understanding, which is sense and reason, in all Creatures alike; but Nature being various, not onely in her parts, but in her actions, it causes a variety also amongst her Creatures; and hence come so many kinds, sorts and particulars of Natural Creatures, quite different from each other; though not in the General and Universal principle of Nature, which is self-moving Matter, (for in this they agree all) yet in their particular interior natures, figures and proprieties.

e come essa natura a sommo studio abbia voluto rappresentare i colori di detti elementi, dipignendogli in quattro principalissime gioie, le quali sono il rubino, il zaffiro, lo smeraldo, e il diamante; perciocché per mezzo dell’acceso rubino ci si dimostra quello del fuoco: per lo ceruleo, ed azzurrino colore del zaffiro quello dell’aere: per l’allegro colore dello smeraldo quello della terra, quasi di verdi erbe ricoperta; e per lo trasparente diamante quello dell’acqua, che in esso chiara, lucida, e ondeggiante si scorge.

Aller edlen Steine Zierde Ist der helle Diamant: Mit Bewundrung und Begierde Sieht man seinen reinen Brand. In den nettgeschliffnen Ecken Scheinet Glut und Flut zu stecken, Wenn auf tausend Art das Licht Sich in seinen Tafeln bricht.

Unde, cum ex dilectione decoris domus Dei aliquando multicolor gemmarum speciositas ab exintrinsecis me curis devocaret, sanctarum etiam diversitatem virtutum, de materialibus ad immaterialia transferendo, honesta meditatio insistere persuaderet, videor videre me quasi sub aliqua extranea orbis terrarum plaga, quae nec tota sit in terrarum faece, nec tota in coeli puritate demorari, ab hac etiam inferiori ad illam superiorem anagogico more Deo donante posse transferri.

The mind seemed to grow giddy by looking so far into the abyss of time; and while we listened with earnestness and admiration to the philosopher who was now unfolding to us the order and series of these wonderful events, we became sensible how much farther reason may sometimes go than imagination can venture to follow.

Wird nicht der Fels ein eigenthümliches Du, eben wenn ich ihn anrede?

There seem to be in some crystals, from the beginning, an unconquerable purity of vital power, and strength of crystal spirit.

Souvent dans l’être obscur habite un Dieu caché ; Et comme un œil naissant couvert par ses paupières, Un pur esprit s’accroît sous l’écorce des pierres !

Frage nur die Steine, du wirst erstaunen, wenn du sie reden hörst.

There must be all degrees of life, from a stone—if we can find any starting-point—to God.

C’est que vents, ondes, flammes, Arbres, roseaux, rochers, tout vit ! Tout est plein d’âmes.

How happy is the little stone That rambles in the road alone, And does n’t care about careers, And exigencies never fears; Whose coat of elemental brown A passing universe put on; And independent as the sun, Associates or glows alone, Fulfilling absolute decree In casual simplicity.