RE: VMs: f1r symbols - wild idea?

["GC" <glenclaston@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Nick wrote:

> Hi Colin,
>
> At 20:21 07/07/2003 +0100, Colin Robson wrote:
> >just as a crazy wild idea... could the first page represent some kind of
> >contents page?... with the first red symbol looks like a plant in the
> >ground... and the second symbol looks like some kind of jar with smoke
> >coming out (possibly representing alchemy...
>
> Could be... though the first page of many similar manuscripts often
> contains a dedication to a patron or sponsor (o most illustrious patron,
> from whom all light doth shine etc), and I guess that's just as likely
> here. :--)

There are just as many that start with descriptive info as those with
dedications as far as I can tell.  There are also a few that contain little
ditties like the one below, which is recovered from a treatise on astronomy:

"The complaynt off sanct cipriane the grett Nigromancer
mayd after that he was conuertid off the virgyne Justyne.

O mortall man In this lyffe transitore
In dewde with grace throwght power celestiall...
for me and all mankynd thy body was rent
have pety on me lord for mercy I cry
thy holy precept I shall neuer deny."

There's the possibility that whoever wrote the VMS needed more than one
opening prayer? :-)

> Looking at it won't drive you mad - however, trying to make sense of it
> probably will. :-o
>
> To stay sane, I'd suggest sticking to one observation at a time, and
> developing the logic of what that might imply right as far as you
> can take
> it. Works for me, anyway. :-)
>
> This of course depends on how sane you think I am. :-(

:-)

GC

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