I wol yow telle, as was me taught also, The foure spirites…
“I wol yow telle, as was me taught also, The foure spirites and the bodies sevene, By ordre, as ofte I herde my lord hem nevene. The firste spirit quiksilver called is, The second orpiment, the thridde, ywis, Sal armoniak, and the firthe brimstoon. The bodies sevene eek, lo! hem heer anoon: Sol gold is, and Luna silver we threpe, Mars yron, Mercurie quiksilver we clepe, Saturnus leed, and Jupiter is tin, And Venus coper, by my fader kin!”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage lists the seven classical planets and their associated spirits, reflecting medieval cosmology and allegorical symbolism.
In simple terms: It names seven planets and their spirits from medieval belief.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how historical worldviews shaped symbolic language.
Themes
mythology
astronomy
medieval literature
Mood
scholarly
curious
Type
historical
literary
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- historical education
- creative writing
- astronomical symbolism
Key Concepts
alchemy
symbolism
planetary archetypes
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this list reveal about medieval thought?
- How might these symbols be reinterpreted today?
A Different Perspective
Modern science disproves planetary influence on human affairs.