Liber Martis - Chapter 54

Verses

Verse 69

The novice brought iron ore and complained that it was ugly. The smith said, Good; vanity will not survive the furnace either.

Verse 70

First lesson: heat reveals what shape alone conceals.

Verse 71

Second lesson: the hammer is not punishment when the metal has consented to become a blade.

Verse 72

Third lesson: what cannot endure the fire becomes slag, but slag too tells the truth.

Verse 73

Mars is iron before it is weapon, force before it is intention.

Verse 74

The forge roared red, and the novice asked whether this was hell. The smith replied, Only if you insist on remaining ore.

Verse 75

Strike while the metal is willing to change.

Verse 76

Cool it too quickly and it may crack; cool it too slowly and it may soften. Even transformation has timing.

Verse 77

The sword is proud of its edge and forgets the thousand blows that gave it one.

Verse 78

Temper strength with restraint, or strength becomes brittle.

Verse 79

Rust is iron remembering air.

Verse 80

Blood is iron traveling under a softer name.

Verse 81

The alchemist seeks not to worship the metal but to understand the fire that changes both metal and worshipper.

Verse 82

At the final initiation, the smith handed the novice an unfinished blade.

Verse 83

The novice asked, What must I cut?

Verse 84

The smith answered, Begin with whatever in you needs an enemy.