Nov 26, 2008 08:44
15 yrs ago
English term
France
lowre within the two Elements
English to French
Social Sciences
Esoteric practices
Texte sur l'alchimie ; extrait de Consuetudo, vel Lex Mercatoria, or The Ancient Law-Merchant (1622), de Gerard Malynes
All Philosophers have determined that the sperme, or seed of all things, created of the foure Elements, doth in a secret manner lowre within the two Elements of Water and Earth; and that Nature doth continually worke to produce perfect things, but is hindered therein by accidentall causes, which are the begetters of corruption and imperfection of all things, whereby we have varieties of things which are delectable to the spirit of man
lowre = lower ? quel est le sens précis de ce verbe ?
All Philosophers have determined that the sperme, or seed of all things, created of the foure Elements, doth in a secret manner lowre within the two Elements of Water and Earth; and that Nature doth continually worke to produce perfect things, but is hindered therein by accidentall causes, which are the begetters of corruption and imperfection of all things, whereby we have varieties of things which are delectable to the spirit of man
lowre = lower ? quel est le sens précis de ce verbe ?
Proposed translations
+1
42 mins
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Je vais adopter "repose". Merci beaucoup, Fabienne et Tony"
+2
25 mins
English term (edited):
lowre > lower
rôder
I think you're right, here it has the meaning of lower (also lour), in the sense of 'lowering clouds' — in modern usage, this means 'être menaçant'.
But a much earlier meaning is 'to lurk' — cf. NS OED:
lour v.i. Also lower.ME.
1 Frown, scowl; look angry or sullen. Formerly, also, be depressed or mournful.
b Of the clouds, sky, a tempest, etc.: look dark and threatening.
*** 2 Crouch, lurk, skulk. Chiefly Sc. Now rare. LME. ***
So in the sense it is being used here, I think 'rôder' probably conveys the right idea...
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Note added at 1 day1 hr (2008-11-27 10:12:49 GMT)
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The fact that it says "...doth in a secret manner..."definitely suggests to me the idea of 'lurking'; and it's true that in the modern sense of 'lurk', 'skulk' etc., there is also a somewhat negative connotation. Perhaps you need something more neutral, like 'se cacher'?
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Note added at 1 day1 hr (2008-11-27 10:28:09 GMT)
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I like Fabienne's idea of 'repose'
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Note added at 1 day1 hr (2008-11-27 10:34:24 GMT)
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From your added context, it makes it clear that it is not the sense of 'to reduce' --- although this 'sperm' is CREATED from all four elements, it is clear that it actually resides or is stored inside the earth (+ water) --- it clearly sort of 'lies in wait' there before rising to the surface to create things...
But a much earlier meaning is 'to lurk' — cf. NS OED:
lour v.i. Also lower.ME.
1 Frown, scowl; look angry or sullen. Formerly, also, be depressed or mournful.
b Of the clouds, sky, a tempest, etc.: look dark and threatening.
*** 2 Crouch, lurk, skulk. Chiefly Sc. Now rare. LME. ***
So in the sense it is being used here, I think 'rôder' probably conveys the right idea...
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Note added at 1 day1 hr (2008-11-27 10:12:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
The fact that it says "...doth in a secret manner..."definitely suggests to me the idea of 'lurking'; and it's true that in the modern sense of 'lurk', 'skulk' etc., there is also a somewhat negative connotation. Perhaps you need something more neutral, like 'se cacher'?
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day1 hr (2008-11-27 10:28:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I like Fabienne's idea of 'repose'
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Note added at 1 day1 hr (2008-11-27 10:34:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
From your added context, it makes it clear that it is not the sense of 'to reduce' --- although this 'sperm' is CREATED from all four elements, it is clear that it actually resides or is stored inside the earth (+ water) --- it clearly sort of 'lies in wait' there before rising to the surface to create things...
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
kashew
: Hi! As "secret" is already in there your "rôder" looks excellent.
1 hr
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Thanks, J!
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| agree |
cenek tomas
2 hrs
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Merci, Tomas !
|
Discussion
John French describes how the four elements generate a sperm at the center of the earth, which is then distributed to the different areas of the globe. He writes "The seed, and Sperm of all things is but one, and yet it generates diverse things"[...] Hence, the sperm, or humid vapor, is not only the source of metals, but the origins of everything. What the alchemist must study is how this vapor is turned into different metals as it passes through the earth. When the earth is subtle, pure, and humid the vapor, or “Mercury of Philosophers,” turns into gold, while if the earth is impure or cold, baser metals are produced.
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