Papyri Graecae Magicae, PGM Va: Treatise on alchemy; spell for direct vision

τοῦ δὲ καὶ ὑπόχρισμα εἰς πάντα λεί-

it, too, an undercoating for every

θον εὐχρηστεῖ.

stone is serviceable.

Σμαράγδου ποίησις.

Making of emerald.

χρυσοκόλλης ὁλκῆς (δραχμῆς) (ἥμισυ), ἀρμενι⟨α⟩κοῦ

Chrysocolla, weight (½) (drachma); Armenian blue,

ὁλκῆς (δραχμῆς) (ἥμισυ), οὔρου ἀφθόρου παιδὸς κο-

weight (½) (drachma); urine of an uncorrupted boy,

τύλης (ἥμισυ), χολῆς ταυρίας τοῦ ὑγροῦ τὸ

(½) kotyle; of bull’s gall, the liquid part, the

δίμοιρον μείξας βάλε εἰς χυτρίδιον

two-thirds; mix them and put them into a little pot

ὁμου καὶ βάλε τοὺς λίθους πάντας, ἵνα

together, and put in all the stones, so that

ἄγωσιν ἀνὰ (ἥμισυ) (ὀ)β(ολοῦ) καὶ (ἥμισυ) δ. καὶ πωμάσ-

they weigh (½) (obol) and (½) δ each. And having put the lid

ας τὸ χυτρίδιον περιπήλωσον τὸ π-

on the little pot, coat the lid round with clay,

ῶμα καὶ κάε ἐν ἐλαίνοις ξύλοις ἐλα-

and burn it on olive wood over a

φρῷ πυρὶ ἐφ’ ὥρας ἕξ ἕψων. ἐὰν δὲ γέ-

gentle fire for six hours, boiling it. And if

νηται σημῖον τοῦτο{υ}, τὸ πῶμα χλω-

this sign appears, the lid [turning] green,

ρόν, μηχέτι κε͂ε ἀλλὰ καταψύξας ἆ-

burn it no longer, but let it cool and take

ρόν καὶ εὑρήσεις γεγονότας. εἰσὶν

[it] off, and you will find them made. The

δὲ οἱ λίθοι κρυστάλλινοι. πᾶσα δὲ κρύ-

stones are crystal ones. And all crystal,

σταλλος ἑψομένη μεταβάλλει τὴν

when boiled, changes its

τὴν χρόαν.

colour.

Βάμμα χρωμάτων γ.

Dye of 3 colours.

βάμμα, ἐξ oὗ τρία βάμματα γείνεται. κριμνοῦ

A dye from which three dyes are made. Of coarse meal,