This is a text written by Robert Norman in 1590. Norman was a 16th century mariner and compass builder who discovered magnetic inclination. This text is a challenge issued to compare his “loadstone” against other more precious metals. For this text I began by translating word for word until I had it finished, than I went back over it and decided to change some words from their original spelling in order to help facilitate reading, and promote the overall readability of the piece. I removed any extra letters at the ends of words such as “golde” and “doo.” I also changed the ending –ie to –y to help with readability. Generally I left words in their original spelling, except for changing any f to s and v to u. Only a few words required dictionary definitions in order to understand the poem; they are included in the footnotes.
The Magnes* or Loadstones[1] Challenge Magnet
Give place ye glittering sparkes,
ye glimmering Diamonds bright,
Ye Rubies red, and Saphires brave,
wherein ye most delight.
In brief, ye stones inricht*, Enrich
and burnisht all with gold,
Set forth in Lapidaries[2] shops,
for Jewels to be sold.
Give place, give place I say,
your beauty, gleam, and glee,
Is all the vertue* for the which, Virtue
accepted so you be.
Magnes, the Loadstone I,
your painted sheaths defy,
Without my help, in Indian Seas,
the best of you might lie.
I guide the Pilats* course, Pilots
his helping hand I am,
The Mariner delights in me,
so doth the Merchant man.
My vertue lies unknowen,
my secrets hidden are,
By me the Court and Common weale[3],
are pleasured very far.
No ship could sail on Seas,
her course to run aright[4],
Nor Compass shew* the ready way, Show
were Magnes not of might.
Blush then, and blemish all,
bequeath to me that’s due,
Your seates in gold, your price in plate,
which Jewellers do renue[5].
Its I, its I alone,
whom you usurp upon,
Magnes my name, the Loadstone cald*, Cold
the prince of stones alone.
If this you can deny,
then seem to make reply,
And let the painefull Sea-man judge,
the which of us doth lie.
The Mariners judgement.
The Loadstone is the stone,
the onelie* stone alone, Only
Deserving praise above the rest,
whose vertues are unknowne.
The Merchants verdict.
The Diamods bright, the Saphires brave,
are stones that bear the name,
But flatter not, and tell the troth*, Truth
Magnes deserves the fame.
[1] Loadstone: another term for a magnet
[2] Lapidary: One who is concerned, skilled, or deals with stones or gems
[3] Weale: Wealth, riches, or possessions
[4] Aright: Straight
[5] No entry for this spelling, another translation of the texts suggests the spelling rewe, which is most closely related to rue
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