Folio 99r - beryl, continued. Nonum topazius; The ninth, topaz
it expects its reward. In this context, the psalm: 'Thou shall eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee' (Psalms, 128:2). Gregory: 'It will be bad for those who eat their labours here, like hypocrites.'
Verse
Its hexagonal form causes beryl to shine brightly; otherwise it seems to have a faint pallor.
The ninth, topaz
The ninth foundation is topaz; this stone, although it is multi-coloured, has two colours especially, gold and a clear colour, as the Glossator of Exodus, 34, says: And it is touched by the splendour of the sun. It exceeds all other gemstones in clearness; its appearance is singularly pleasing to those who look at it; if it were polished, it would be dulled; left to its own nature, it is clearer; it is the largest of stones; and it is cherished by kings.
Topaz signifies contemplation. The love with which contemplation burns, colours it gold; the understanding which illuminates contemplation, gives it its clear colour. In contemplation the Lord is seen more clearly; and men are more especially drawn to his love when they are open to it. Their nature is such that, if they are embellished by the honours of this world, they see less clearly, because, like Martha, they have many distractions. This stone shines with every colour, because contemplation shines with the splendour of every virtue. It is the biggest of stones, because contemplation expands the heart greatly, and those who are truly kings think nothing of the flesh. It is placed in the ninth position, because contemplation aligns contemplative men with the nine orders of angels.
Verse
Topaz comes from the island of the same name. It is all the more precious as it is rare. The land of the Arabs, rich in stones, produces it.
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Commentary
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Topaz.
Comment
Initial type 4.
Folio Attributes
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Transcription
te, mercedem expectat. Unde Psalmis: Labores manuum\ tuarum quia manducabis, in futuro, scilicet, beatus es et bene\ tibi erit, Gregorius: Illis erit male qui hic manducant la\bores, scilicet sicut ypocrite. \ Versus \ Conspicuos reddit sex\angula forma berillos. Qui nisi fiat hebes hiis pal\lorum esse videtur. \ Nonum topazius \ Nonum topacius, hic lapis quamvis omnium sit\ colorum, maxime tamen duos habet colores, aureum et\ ethereum ut dicit Glossator super Exodus xxxiiii, et cum splendo\re solis tangitur, omnium gemmarum claritates excedit, in\ aspectum suum provocat singulariter aspicientes, qui\ si poliatur obscuratur, si nature sue relinquatur, clari\or est, et est gemmarum amplissima , et regibus cara, et\ significat contemplacionem, que ex caritate qua fervet, et\ est aurea, et ex cognicione qua lucet, ethera, ubi dominus\ limpidius videtur, ad cuius amorem homines aperti\ singularius trahuntur, et qui tales sunt, si honoribus\ seculi poliantur, obscurantur, quia turbantur circa plurima sicut\ Martha, quod hic lapis omni colore resplendet, hic est quia\ contemplacio omnium virtutum splendore refulget,\ et est gemmarum latissima, quia contemplacio maxime\ cor dilatat et qui vere reges sunt, nichil carnis con\templacione habent, et unde nono loco ponitur quia homines\ contemplativos novem ordinibus angelorum contem\placio associat. \ Versus \ Nominis eiusdem topazion\ insula gignit. Qui quanto rarus tanto magis est\ preciosus. Gignit et hunc Arabum gemmis ditissima\ tellus.Translation
it expects its reward. In this context, the psalm: 'Thou shall eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee' (Psalms, 128:2). Gregory: 'It will be bad for those who eat their labours here, like hypocrites.' Verse Its hexagonal form causes beryl to shine brightly; otherwise it seems to have a faint pallor. The ninth, topaz The ninth foundation is topaz; this stone, although it is multi-coloured, has two colours especially, gold and a clear colour, as the Glossator of Exodus, 34, says: And it is touched by the splendour of the sun. It exceeds all other gemstones in clearness; its appearance is singularly pleasing to those who look at it; if it were polished, it would be dulled; left to its own nature, it is clearer; it is the largest of stones; and it is cherished by kings. Topaz signifies contemplation. The love with which contemplation burns, colours it gold; the understanding which illuminates contemplation, gives it its clear colour. In contemplation the Lord is seen more clearly; and men are more especially drawn to his love when they are open to it. Their nature is such that, if they are embellished by the honours of this world, they see less clearly, because, like Martha, they have many distractions. This stone shines with every colour, because contemplation shines with the splendour of every virtue. It is the biggest of stones, because contemplation expands the heart greatly, and those who are truly kings think nothing of the flesh. It is placed in the ninth position, because contemplation aligns contemplative men with the nine orders of angels. Verse Topaz comes from the island of the same name. It is all the more precious as it is rare. The land of the Arabs, rich in stones, produces it.
