The second gate, _Dissolution_, is likened to death and burial; but the true Essence will appear glorious and beautiful when this gate is passed.
The worker is told not to be discouraged by this apparent death.

_The mercury of the sages_ is spoken of by this author as the queen, and gold as the king.

The king dies for love of the queen, but he is revived by his spouse, who is made fruitful by him and brings forth "a most royal son." Figs.IV.and V.are reduced from _The Book of Lambspring_; they express the need of the conjunction of two to produce one.
[Illustration: Here you behold a great marvel-- Two Lions are joined into one.
The spirit and soul must be united in their body.
FIG.

IV.] After dissolution came _Conjunction_, wherein the separated elements were combined.

Then followed _Putrefaction_, necessary for the germination of the seed which had been produced by calcination, dissolution, and conjunction.