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The art of memory, that otherwise is called the Phoenix 
  
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The prologue of this present book.  

For as much as many [ithes time moderne the psétli reneth] be of a slow memory (or) late minded, this little book was made and composed, for to give and present it to all people, [albeit] that at the beginning it was directed to the Italian nation. Know [ye] therefore all noble readers that if any do keep these precepts and commandments of this book, easily and in short time he may touch the summit, and reach the height of this art. It is of a great effect and profit to them that have not their minds prompt, strong and ready. For it [semeth] (seemed) more to be [muented] by [dy]. [uine] inspiration then by art or science of mankind. I have also found by writing that when the author  

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author of this present work experimented his knowledge through al the [Itallies] that many affirmed to have [seine] (seen) this work more divine than human, so that some did [bliste] (blessed) thee by great admiration. The author reported that he had no teacher of this art, but [y] it came to him by invention through the [socour] and help of god that lightened and inspired his spirit. Read therefore my precepts right [dere] and discrete persons and if thou take labour and diligence to understand these purposes [perfitli] thou shall gather the grain thereof, and bear with the great and prosperous work of profit and honour. 

The first conclusion shall be such. This art is, and consist of places and magnitudes. The places be as cards or scrolls or other  

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or other things for to write in. The images be (the) similitude’s of the changes that we will retain in mind. Than I will first [spare] my card wherein we may [colloke] (collocate) and order (the) images in places. And for the foundation of this first conclusion I will put four rules. The first is this. The places are the windows set in walls, pillars, and [anglets], with other like. The second rule is. The places ought not to be to near together nor to far a [sóder]. For the [nerenesse] (nearness) trouble greatly the natural memory, by the opposition of things for if (the) places were to far distant. We will recite with a [lytel] (little) [leaser] the things that shall be given to places, where by they shall be of mean distance. And that shall be done when one is six foot [fro] (the) other. The third rule is such. But it is vain as me [semeth] (seems).

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[semeth] (seems). For it is the opinion of talkers that the places ought not to be made where as [mé do] haunt, as in churches and common places. For it [suffiseth] (suffice) to have [sene] (seens) church vacant where as people walk not always and in that had been taught and [tótrary] (totally) experience. Which is the master of those things. The fourth rule is this. That the places be not to high. For I will that the man set for the images or in the [steade] (stand) of images may touch the places, and which I have judged as beautiful. I take then the church greatly known by me, the [parties] (parts) whereof I do consider, and go into it walking it three or four times, and then return home to my house, and there I [tourne] (tour) in my thought to remember things by my [sene] (seen). And in that manner I give the beginning of the work to places on the right side     

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side of the gate [fro] the which man go in the right path or [ile] to the high [auter ther] (alter there). I fix and ordain the first place, and the second on (the) wall next it a fifth or sixth foot of. And if there be any notable thing set, as a [piler] in the window, or other like, there put the place. And of the notable thing be not there, or lack I find that in my imagination or at mine [arbytre] (arbitrarily) imaginary although some [forginge] these places would leave thee, fearing that he shall be put in forgetfulness. The thing opposite to that is taken and suffered, so that he be mindful to have constituted and ordained the place. Ans so to be preceded through place to place till (the) fabricant of (the) place returns to the same gate. And these things to be done on (the) first wall of the church, al things left that be in the [midst] thereof. And if any  

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any desire to have (the) circumsphere of the places enter by order in to a monastery, and fill it full all of places or [cópare] (compare) the places on the walls without the church. And he that with remembered of many things, must [cópare] (compare) many places. But because [y] I have willed to surmount all the [inen] of Italy by abundance of things and holy scriptures, in Canon law and Civil, and in other authorities of many things, while that I was but young adolescent I have prepared a 900 [C.M.] places. And now I have added to them other 1000 [x.M.] places within I have put the things which are to say and utter by myself. So [?] they be [prompteinèts] when I will experiment the virtues and strength of my memory. And when I do leave my [coútre] assigned I visit (the) cities of Italy as a pilgrim or a way-  

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a [wayfarer]. I may freely say that I bear with all my things, and yet I cease not to edify. I do [iou] to [wite y] the places in any church or [ininster] is [sene] (seen) only for to repose and mark the things which must be recited everyday as be [y] (your) arguments, reasons, histories, [sabies] and predictions made in [Lenten]. And let this office be deputed to these places only. And I have set and declared at the end for these places a thing that shall be Judged necessary and [utile]. for I will that the young infants shall be cautious hereof by my tight document assigned by the places so constituted and put in order, by often repetition, three or four times in a month. For the repetition of places can not be praised in any manner.  

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The second conclusion shall be that when any [hath] (had) the card or scroll I will [shewe] (show) the manner to write in the same as I was sometime being young adolescent in (the) company of [sondri noble mé]. It was proposed of [thé] to recite names of man, that one of (the) [assisten’s] should say I deny not that. And there be the names that follow. I did set in the first place a certain friend of mine having the same name. In the second place likewise, and as names did I [colloke] (collocate) and set in place as they had named, and they thus collocated were by me recited afterwards. And let the [collocatoure] advise him to set always his friend doing the thing that he is accustomed to do [coininly], and proceed this conclusion clearly, and names known. And if the friend be known have such a name [Bordrab], Zoro

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[Zorobabell], than set (the) same thing that is spoken or named in his place. I say as much [ot] like things in names of beasts as of the horse, (or) ox, and ass, do that the horse be set in the fifth place. In the second (the) ox, and the ass in the third. And thus must be done in things that have no life, as the book, the coat, (and) gown, and of other things in likewise. But be well aware that thou be not decepted, if the book were set in the fifth place, and the coat in (the) second for so thou [mayste] (may) simply when thou [shulde] (should) recite (the) names. The office of this art is to excite the mind naturally never is not nor can be [admonested]. For (the) gest of the image is to set and [valet] (valid) and opposite therefore (and) ought to be set in the place that moved. And if it can not move to be moved with another, put such a thing in the  

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the hand of [mover], because that by the moving the memory be moved to the natural. But some young man of his spirit and [subtill] (subtle) [wit] (with) will say that these precepts and commandments be not perfect in al parts. For (the) [ampt] set in the place moved. And how be it because that is so little it cannot move for the grain of pepper put in the hand of the mover nor also lift it, which I grant, if (the) only [ampt] be there [collocat] (collocated). But if you set a multitude of [ampts] moving and [descédinge] (descending) on a tree. That (the) only [ampt] could not do alone, (or) multitude will do it.  And the friend also will move in the place divers grains of pepper. Some other [ponglinge] will [cótrarienge]. The full [beli] both not move me and multitude of fleas, may not be set nor well collocated. But I will collocate  

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collocate therefore the flea the friend taking a flea. And I have afore set in the place of the flea the right excellent master if all thé of our time the good [phisitien] Gerard of [Uclonne], and which I beheld ones taking a flea.  

The third conclusion is al of gold if I take man for the letters of the alphabet, and so I have the living images. For I set for the letter A. Anthony. B for Benet, and so the other persons and names of whom the first letter is that which I will [collocat] (collocate). And I do set by the letters some fair maids for they excite greatly my mind and [frequntation] when I was young I did [collocat] (collocate). [Junipere pistorien] or of [pise] which I loved greatly. Believe hardly to my sayings that if I set the fair maidens most fairly 

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fairly and decently recite this and I have set in my memory. Retain this secret very beautiful [thá] into the artificial memory, which I have of a [lóge] while put in science. And for fear of blame or shame and thou would have a remembrance [incótinent collecat] fair maidens. For the mind by the location of maidens and virgins is a marvellous moving to [hiin] that had seen the witness testified the thing. But this beautiful precept cannot fit to they that have woman in hate and despise them. Nor shall not follow the fruit of this act but difficulty, and slowly, how be it all good and [chast] man are except. For the precepts (that) had [borne] me so much honesty I ought not to hide, saying and I desire to leave it to my successors excellently learned in goodness.  

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The fourth conclusion is, that the images of the alphabet, or the names demonstrative of lies should be well retained and fixed in mind and often repeated, I begin than this [wise] if it [chaúce] me to set in place of this [copulative]. And I set in place Eusebe and Thomas, how be it that in this order Eusebe be in place, and Thomas standing [afore] (in front of) him, but if Thomas hold of Eusebe, and Eusebe hold the [copulatif] of Thomas that is [mas], and of [mas] we see this [pronowne] (pronoun) of Thomas. And in the place opposed in this art the rule is such that first in order is most pressed of the place, and so of the end. And first we write in this [copulatife] and likewise in the place. And like things is to be observed generally in all dictions, and other things to be [colloqued].  

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The fifth conclusion is [i y] syllables of three letters in who we proceed thus, for if (a) vowel be in (the) middle as these syllable (bar) I take than (a) image of the last letter and add some thing thereto, of the which let be (the) beginning in likewise to the two other letters (and) do proceed. That if I let in the place of Raymond [smittinge] the place with his staff, the syllable (bar) shall be raised in (the) place. And if Simon hit (a) place we shall have the syllable below. Than let this rule be kept which is thus repeated  there where (a) vowel is in the middle of the syllable of the letters the image of the last letter R is taken opposing another mobile, or moving herself to the two letters afore. But if the vowel being the end as the syllable (bra) than I [colloke] (collocate) to (a) image of (the) fifth letter of (a) thing [inobile] (immobile) or moving

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or moving, whereof let the beginning be like (of) two following(s). Than I set and oppose Benet [amóge] (among) the [frogges] in the place shall have the syllable (bra). And if I let Thomas I shall have the syllable (tra). The [habundance] (abundance) than of these things that begin as the syllable if they be readily had [bere] (bear) great [btilite] and profit. But if the vowel be in the beginning, making any syllables as these word (Amo) [thá] always the image of the fifth letter is to be [colloqued] in the place of a thing happening his like beginning of the syllable (that) follows, if (a) [harnest] turn (a) milestone, these words [Aino] set there shall be (the) place. And if, this Eusebe, [rede] (read), this word, [enio] (anyone) to us you must always know if we may [pstabli] [collocat] (collocate), the diction of three or four syllables, and it is no need for in vain one is to be made  

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made up by many things when it may be by few. It [suffifeth] (sufficient) to have [ser] the third or second syllable, we may always [collocat] the total diction of two syllables as, Pater, I will set in the place the thing or (and) man for the image of the syllable. Pa as Paul, and for the syllable, ter, [siihe] (say) that the vowel is in the middle I will take Raymond having a piece of linen cloth in his hand. I conclude than thus nobly that the images of (the) alphabet adjoined together, and the abundance of (the) things beginning as the syllables will learn us [eurt], if the images do lack in thee. For if I can have other I will leave these whereof we shall speak in the other conclusions.  

The sixth conclusion is in these dictions, bread, wine, wood, and other like. And in all dignities as is  

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as is the Emperor, the King. [and c] And so of [eche] I make collocation by the sound of (a) voice, the which all things do understand, and (the) [Rustikes] in their demonstration, and to speak more [evidét] (evident) they are [concordinge] concordantly and uniform in speech [bulgar] (Bulgarian) and latin. In such decisions I demand none other images. But put that same that (is) said diction [soúde], and all the syllables of such dictions may be by good mention collocated easily. For in (the) body of man I have found images of cases so that the head is the case [Ivvima]. The right hand the genitive. The left hand (the) [datiue], The right foot the accused, the left foot [vocatiue]. And the help or singular number I set a fair maiden naked. And for the plural the same maid, well arrayed and richly

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richly or her that I would be remembered of. Or I will collocate some thing, or a man if it be some thing as bread I will collocate a maiden all naked in the place [toushinge] (a) bread in her tight [tote]. And if I will collocate any diction I let a man constituted in office or dignity as a bishop, collocate a bishop in the place, [sinithinge] [bate] [erth] whit his right foot. And if thou consider diligently these things, [D trght] sweet reader, this meant; on will [shew] very good on the(e), and thus I as accustomed to collocate these dictions.  

The seventh conclusion is that we may collocate dictions by sound of the voice, (Features) of the body, of the [simtlytudes] (similitude), and of their images. I use it often for I set my friend for the diction. I knew a doctor  

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doctor that had always in his mouth communication of the law speaking of the time of appellations. This doctor of law said he could say all the law by heart or wrote only I then willingly to collocate the said law I set thus [dolour] that always [hitteth] (hides) laughters, and by the [I estes] of the body are set (the) images when any [I estures] (gestures) be made in the diction I make my friend (for this word spolio) the which [dispoileth] another. And for this word, Rapio, I let my friend [rauisshinge] somewhat by force, by similitude I let the images when I find (a) thing at the diction resembled letters, how be it that they are unlike in signification when I [colloke] (collocate) wel for this word [cano].  

The eight conclusion is for the lords [Jurisconsultes], a lawyer, and I will begin to speak of the  

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of the volumes of the civil law. And when I will give these things to places I take (the) colours of (the) coverings, as for [F.veteri.] a black [skinne]. For (a) Code a green [skinne]. For a volume a [skinne] of variable colour. For the institutions a little book. And (the) authentic a [Rotary] having a great instrument. For a authentic I set a maiden having a privilege. For the book [offeodes] I set some castle. For the [decret] authentic  I set an old man writing in the place by cause (and) authorities of holy fathers is in it. For (the) [decetalles] a bishop sitting in a chair. For clementines, a maiden named Clemence. For the sixth, an instrument, so called in Italy, whereof [Duide] writes. Altera pars [staret], pars altera uceret orbet. For (the) commentators of the law I set they that have like name.  

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name. But i take the image of (a) glove of the doctrine by myself of me [firit] given in (the) collocations of dictions. And I have for the Digests fair [Junipera] giving a harp to Florentine, that he may sign the letter of Rome. The allegations of (a) [decrete] shall be thus collocated, for a maiden is set for (the) allegation. And this maiden makes a cloth or a [cedule]. And set for the question (of) fair [Junipera] beating her maid. And fir the consideration I set a [preste consecratinge] the [hoolt]. And for Penance I set [Junipera] [shriving] her to me of her light [sinues].  

The ninth conclusion shall be, that I will show how places ought to be given to (the) [rubrisshes] of each law, and set two images for (the) same as I am [wont], for if I will remember  

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remember me of the [rubrishe] of transaction I set Thomas having [frogges] or the gest of the body. I find two man that would not of long time cease there contention and debate and giving each to other tokens of peace. That is the fair image of the [rubrishe] of the transactions. But the principles of the laws where as chapters be set in place by alphabet or sound of voice similitude’s of gestures of the body, whereof is spoken afore and plainly enough.  

The tenth is in collocating, arguments. For the which I am accustomed to set two images. The first i the [gest] of (the) body, as if one aid thus. The [testament a baileth o] none but if be made with seven witnesses. Therefore I [feine] the [te?atour] to have made this testament before  

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before two witnesses, and a ring that sealed the said testament. The second image is it that collocate two other dictions more principle of the argument. Take here an example, this [Jurisconsul], of this philosophies wrote my meaning. When in the act the will is demanded of any, he ought to proceed. Here be [sondri] words, but is sufficient to collocate and let the will through proceeding. And then we may say by and in memory (and) other types of the argument of the collocation of two or three dictions. The other things we shall recite elegantly, and believe this (of) the masters had experimented it right well.  

The eleventh conclusion, and thus I have the images unto the [no] of a C which are ten I have also nine images of the number beginning from  

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from one to (the) number ten. The which I have divided on the [ivingers] (fingers) of man. I have given to the fifth finger of the right hand for the fifth number, or for one. The second for (a) [secóde], or for two. And so I precede to (the) fourth finger of the left hand. And because that these things may the better be retained in mind. I say the first finger of the right hand to be of the [Gelfes], The second of the [Gelbilaits]. The third of the [Jewes] the forth of the rings. The fifth of the ears. And so of the left hand I call the first finger of the [Gelfes], for [Gelfes] be estimated rich and great estimation, the second of the [Gelbelaits]. And the third of the [Jewes], [For ?f ye] point to a [Jewe] with that finger will look away [fiercely]. And who will know the cause, shall find it evident  

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evident. Therefore I call the forth and the fifth even so for the number of a [M], I have set here, if any number be to me [pposed] (opposed) early to have the image of the same. The conclusion is such, if any should [alke] (alike) if that in one self place he ought to set many things. I answer thus if I would put the things in places that are [pposed] (opposed) to me of other because that I ought forthwith to rehearse the said things proposed. I will collocate only in the place the images of one thing. But if I dispose to let in places the things that I read in my books, so that I may recite by heart in remembering them, I doubt not to set very often in one place the images of many things.  

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The twelfth conclusion shall be [beri propre]. That is I will make and show in what manner ought to be made the images of numbers or all numbers that we can think. I have only found twenty images.  And therefore I will describe them briefly, for (the) number of ten I take a great cross of gold or silver, for the number of twenty I take the similitude of (the) letter of iron or wood [onioined] to any thing that is found. For we shall write the number of twenty in (the) card or scroll in this manner, or for thirty and the similitude of this figure is [comunct] in this manner to the thing. Therefore I will find some examples which I will set whereby the reader may understand in the more easily, although it be of a [rude wit] or [condusio], if I will say two or three I must leave a [g?lfe] (glove) in the place holding in his  

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in his right hand a cross. And a [Jewe] that with all his strengths [seketh] to take it [fro hiin] by [violèce] (violence) of that made [fro] the right hand. If I will say two [Corenthios] four I will find the [Gebelin] in the place that shall hold a curtain in his right hand sewing it to a fair maiden which shall receive it in her right hand, for the fourth finger I will set a maiden married. And so I collocate and set for the fourth and ninth number, if I will remember me of penance in the fourth distinction, I will [colloke] an old priest and not young to whom [Junipera] shall [shriue] her [fautes] (faults). And she shall do  a wondrous thing, for she shall absolve the [preste] holding her right hand over his head, and so of the other. And because that this be not that [precesse] let us here make an end of the art  

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art of memory artificial, and precepts, of whom all things is [cóprised simply citiuely], at (the) lest so explicitly to leave any thing, that I prompted to write in this place to judge and [viile] thing here in place to set in (the) fifth place a hand of gold. In the tenth a cross quilted, in (the). Fifth-teen a [háde] of silver. And in the twentieth (a) image of (the) same number. And this my doctrine teaches for to do in all other things.  

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Thus ended the art of memory otherwise called the Phoenix. Translated out of French into English by Robert Copland. And imprinted at London in Fleet street at the sign of the George by William Middleton.