MARSILIO FICINO’S PREFACE TO THE BOOK ON THE SUN, TO THE GREAT-SOULED PIERO DE’ MEDICI.

A decorative initial "N" set in a square frame with floral motifs begins the text, marking the start of the preface. A NEW interpretation of Plato, begun long ago under your auspices, Great-Souled Piero, I pursue daily; and (as is not hidden from you) I explain it with more frequent divisions of points and with longer arguments, as much as the subject itself demands. And so, when I recently arrived at that Platonic mystery original: "mysterium." For Ficino, a "mystery" is a profound spiritual truth hidden beneath the literal surface of a philosophical text. where he most skillfully compares the Sun to God Himself, it pleased me to explain so great a matter at somewhat greater length. This is especially fitting because our Dionysius the Areopagite Dionysius the Areopagite|A Christian theologian and philosopher of the late 5th to early 6th century, whom Ficino and his contemporaries believed was a direct disciple of St. Paul and the "prince" of the Platonists., the first of the Platonists, whose interpretation I currently have in my hands, gladly embraces a similar comparison between the Sun and God.

Therefore, while I was working by lamp-light for many nights on this "Sun," I thought to select this most excellent portion from my greater work and to present it in its own short volume.

I send this mystery of the Sun to you above all, like a gift from Phoebus Phoebus|An epithet for the Greek god Apollo, representing the sun, light, and the leader of the Muses.. You are a student of Phoebus, the leader of the Muses, and you are yourself a patron of the Muses. To you, also, this entire new interpretation of Plato is dedicated. My hope is that through this light, which serves as a kind of moon, you may glimpse what the entire Platonic work will be—just as the sun's nature is reflected to us by the moon. If you have ever loved my Plato—or rather, your own Plato, as he has long been yours—may you, ignited by this light, love him even more ardently from now on, and embrace your beloved with all your mind.