Ancient chronicles thread? This is to post fragments of anc

>>1470801

But however they decline the converting of Metals into Gold or Silver by the Stone, yet the Emperor himself, and most Eminent Persons of the Empire, make it a great part of their business to study Immortality, from the promis'd Restauration of Youth, by the wonderful Operations of this Elixar: To which purpose, as there are many Students, so there is no want of Masters; and the whole City of Peking every where pester'd with their Laboratories; and though never so much deluded, yet fresh hopes carry them on with a fervent desire to bring their Work to Perfection; being perswaded by these Mountebanks, that their failings happen'd from some mistakes, but now, if they would begin again, they make no question, being since better inform'd, to finish the so long expected and happy Work.

But before we leave our Alchymists, take this from Martinius, which he tells of the Emperor Hiaou, who had not his equal amongst the Chineses, He was as their Histories say, much transported with a belief, that by this Art he might not onely be the Wealthiest, the Happiest, and the Greatest of all Princes, but also be Crown'd with Immortality: From hence he receiv'd the Title of Van Sin, that is, Ten thousand Years, which hath descended to all the Emperors to this Day.

To this great purpose he built a new Palace accordingly, all of Cedar, Cy∣press, Camphire, and the like sweet smelling Woods; the scent of which, as they say, might be perceiv'd (a) twenty one Chinese Furlongs from thence.*

>>1470805

Amidst this wonderful Structure, he rais'd a Tower all of Copper, of twen∣ty Rods high, (a marvellous piece of Work) with a winding Pair of Stairs in the middle, from the bottom to the top: There was also a Copper Bason, Cast in the form of a Hand, which every Morning was fill'd with early De•…v, wherein the Emperor steep'd the Oriental Pearls to soften them, being part of the Preparations of the Medicines of Immortality: But at last they wrought up∣on his Belief so far, that the Elexar was ready, which Drinking, would so per∣petuate Youth, that he should live according to his Title, Ten thousand Years, that is, He should be Immortal.

The Longevity-Potion being brought, was set on the Table, which should begin the Work of Youths Renovation; when one of his Councellors, a Minister of State, first disswading him from the taking of it, suddenly threw the Liquor down upon the Floor; at which, the Emperor much incens'd that he should lose his expectation of Immortality, which had cost so much time and treasure in Preparing, consulted with what Death he should punish so bold an Offen∣der; when he that stood thus liable to his fury, spake thus mildly and undis∣compos'd to him.

Sir, You cannot put me to Death, for I have drunk the same Medicine of Immortali∣ty already, and am Immortal; so if I die I am guiltless, because the Medicine wants the promised Efficacy, and therefore use your pleasure; yet I suspect, that if your Indignation fall upon me, what I have drunk will be of no Defence, and I feel I shall certainly suffer Death, being conscious of the Deceit of these that are Trapanners for Bread. Which mol∣lifying Speech so pacify'd the Emperor, that he gave him his Life; yet how∣soever, the Emperor prosecuted the same business, to make himself Rich, Hapyy, and Immortal.

>>1470812

There are also a third kind of Philosophers, by Semedo call'd Taokiao, and by Trigaut, from the first Promoter, Lonzu; as likewise by Semedo, Tunsi or Tusi, being the first broacher of this Doctrine, which agrees with the Epicureans, who affirm, a That there is no pleasure after death, and therefore they indulge what e're in their life seems to be easie and happy, so to prolong their lives, to continue their present welfare they use all means possible, and not onely study Longevity, but also how to be Immortal by ingenious discoveries for self-preservation.

But though Laotan accounts the Summum Bonum to consist in Pleasures, yet Martinius finds him to be no way Atheistical, but declares it every where pro∣bable, that Laotan hath acknowledg'd one Supream Deity, saying, Tao, or Great Understanding hath no Name; he hath Created Heaven and Earth, he is without shape; moves the Stars, though he himself is immoveable; and because I know not his Name, I will call him Tao, or Supream Understanding, without form.

The same Philosopher makes mention in another place, of The Creation of the Heavens.

It is not to be credited, what the Fathers report out of their Stories con∣cerning this Philosopher Laotan, that he lay conceal'd, being lock'd up in his Mothers Womb eighty one, or according to Trigaut eighty years; and after∣wards forc'd his passage into the World through her right side; wherefore ac∣cording to Trigaut he is call'd Lauzu, and by Martinius, Laosu; and and last of all, Laotan, that is, Old Philosopher: The time of his Maturation, or rather Im∣prisonment in the Womb, was (as they say) nine times nine Years, which the Chineses account the fulness of Perfection, and all things that are perfect: And because Laotan was one of their greatest and most learned Stages, they invented the foremention'd number, as if Nature had spent so many Years in perfecting of him.

This page is a massive source for this things, all being written in the manner oof the ancient englishmen, wich I find very amusing and agreeable(lol). Why did you changed such a fine way of writing english bros?

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebogroup/

I found another good one, now about the recently conquered new world.

The Cacao is a fruit little lesse than almonds, yet more satte, the which being roasted hath no ill•taste. It is so much esteemed amongest the Indians (yea and among the Spaniards) that it is one of the richest and the grea∣test traffickes of new Spaine: for being a drie fruite, and that keepes long without corruption, they carry whole shippes loaden from the province of Guatimalla. The last yeare an English Pirat did burne in the Port of Gua∣tulco in new Spaine, above a hundred thousand charges of Cacao. They vse it in steede of money, for with five Cacaos they buy one thing, with thirtie an other, and with a hundred an other, without any contradiction; and they vse to give it to the poore that beg for almes. The chiefe vse of this Cacao, is in a drincke which they call Choch•laté, whereof they make great accompt in that Country, foolishly, and without reason; for it is loathsome to such as are not acquainted with it, having askumme or froth that is very vnpleasant to taste, if they be not very well conceited thereof. Yet it is a drinke very much esteemed among the Indians, where∣with they feast noble men as they passe through their Country. The Spaniards both men and women, that are accustomed to the Countrey, are very greedy of this Chocholaté. They say they make diverse sortes of it, some hote, some colde, and some temperate, and put therein much of that Chili; yea they make paste thereof, the which they say is good for the stomacke, and against the Catarre.

>>1470880

The Tunall is another famous tree in new Spaine: if we may call a tree a heape of leaves gathered together one vpon another, it is the strangest fashiond tree of all other, for first there grows one leafe out of the ground, then another vpon it, and so one vpon one, till it com∣meth to his perfection; but as the leaves growe vp, and on the sides, those vnderneath doe become great, and loose in a manner the forme of leaves, making a bodie and braunches, which are sharpe, pricking and defor∣med, so as in some places they doe call it a Thistle. There are thistles or wilde Tunalls, the which do carry no fruite, or else it is very pricking without any profit. There are likewise planted Tunalls which yeelde fruite much esteemed amongst the Indians, the which they call Tunas, and they are much greater then Plumbes, and long. They open the shell which is fatte, and with∣in it is meate and small graines, like to those of figges, which be very sweete; they have a good taste, especially the white, which have a pleasing smell, but the red are not vsually so good.

To the non-mexicans, he is talking about this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opuntia_ficus-indica