The Tree of Science

Proem. 1

[Woodcut illustration of a person sitting under a tree in a landscape with a city in the background]

GOD IN THY VIRTUE
the Tree of Knowledge begins.
[Small decorative ornament]

[Large decorative initial 'I'] N desolation and tears, Raymund, standing under a certain beautiful tree, was singing his desolation, so that he might somewhat alleviate the sorrow which he had, because he could not obtain the holy cause of Jesus Christ, and of all Christianity, and the public good in the Roman Curia. While he thus stood desolate in a certain beautiful valley, abounding in many springs and beautiful trees, a certain monk was coming through that valley, who heard Raymund singing. And because that song was sorrowful and pious, following the voice, he came to the place where Raymund stood. And by the habit which he saw on him, and by the great beard which Raymund had, he judged that he was some religious man of a foreign nation, and said these words to him: "Friend, what is wrong? And why do you weep? Tell me your name (if you please), and in what land you were born. For if I could help you in anything, I would gladly do my utmost. Because it seems to me that you are very desolate, and I would wish you to be in consolation, and that you would have consolation in our creator, by despising and forgetting the brief life of this world." Raymund answered him, and told him his name, and related to him a great part of his condition and life. It pleased the monk greatly, because he had found Raymund. To whom he said that he had sought him for a long time, so that he might ask him to compose a general book for all sciences, which could be easily understood, and by which his general art (which he had composed) could be more easily understood, because it seems too subtle to understand. And also because the other sciences, which ancient wise men discovered, are so difficult to understand, and require such a long time to learn, that scarcely anyone can reach the proper end. And there are also many doubts which some of the wise men have against other wise men. Therefore he asked him that he would make a general book which would help in understanding all sciences. Because a confused intellect brings great danger and the deprivation of great devotion for honoring God, knowing, loving, and serving Him, and for procuring salvation for one's neighbor. Raymund answered: "Lord monk, I have labored for a long time to investigate the truth by one method and by another. And by the grace of God I have come to the end and knowledge of the truth, which I so greatly desired to know, and which I have put in my books. And I am also desolate, because that which I so greatly desired and for which I labored for 30 years, I could not bring to completion. Also because my books are little appreciated, indeed I tell you, that many hold me for a fool because I involve myself in this business, on account of which I have no will to make or compose that book (for which you ask me) nor any other; indeed, I wish to remain desolate in my sadness. And because our Lord Jesus Christ has so few Christian lovers in this world, I propose to return to the Saracens, to protest and to show-
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