TO THE KEPLERIAN APPENDIX:

181. 182. These numbers likely refer to proposition or page numbers in Kepler’s work. He repeats the representations of his own [geometric] solids along with other inventions: on folio 186, he expressly depicts the handle or "bow" of the planetary motions according to his own intention, along with other things concerning the conjunctions of plane figures; he expressed the fabric of planetary harmony according to the b. durum Original: "b. durum." In Renaissance music theory, this refers to the "hard" hexachord, associated with natural or sharp notes, somewhat analogous to a major scale. on folio 209, and another for the b. molle Original: "b. molle." The "soft" hexachord, associated with flattened notes, somewhat analogous to a minor scale. on folio 210, and a mixed fabric on folios 211 and 212. But truly, if he says of these last items that his "fabrics" or systems are diagrams furnished with letters and figures, I respond exactly the same for my own: For in my fifth book, where I teach how to compose melody on folio 210, you will find a Triangular system, which is indeed a most exact mathematical diagram furnished with letters and figures, in which not only the measurement of the whole system but even the secret of the intervals is opened as exactly as possible with the locations of the visible keys. One may find this same diagram furnished with letters and figures, but constructed by another method, on folios 212, 217, 218, 220, 222, 224. Though some of these are described in the form of a Triangle, with three windows and a staff or ruler—partly for the sake of beauty, and also so that the parts of my "Musical Temple" may be well perceived—they nevertheless pertain more exactly to the matter and are explained there with a better method than any of the Author's Kepler's demonstrations could manage by attempting to cast some mark of disgrace upon them. Therefore, these words of the Author are mere talk, and rather the stings of envy and poetic fictions than having anything truly excessive about them.

And this same thing must be said throughout my entire mathematical work; in which, although I have introduced many pictures, the Reader can perceive clearly enough that they are all very necessary for the demonstrations of my propositions and should by no means be omitted. As for the pictures found in my Physical works, although they were not produced in a mathematical manner, I am nevertheless certain that they were arranged according to a physical manner—that is, the manner by which my physical works are demonstrated—not without good reason. For just as he himself, in his earlier book, delineated many propositions for the production and manifestation of his mathematical solids, and many demonstrations of plane surfaces for their elucidation (from which the solids must be composed); so also have I used physical rather than mathematical demonstrations for the explanation of my subject. Nor indeed does it matter under what form or figure they are depicted, provided they lead to the explanation of obscure and uncommon things. And indeed, Johannes himself ought to acknowledge that this was not done foolishly, since his own following words tend toward this: He himself takes great pleasure in the dark enigmas of things. Fludd is quoting Kepler's critique of Fludd's style. For if this is so, there will indeed be a need for ocular demonstration to explain hidden matters. Finally, it is worth noting that the author enjoys praising himself in this place, though this would be more decent coming from a reader of the writing than from the writer himself. For if everyone were a judge for himself and in his own cause, he would leave no discrepancy between the extreme blackness of the crow and the intense whiteness of the swan. As for what is mine, I most willingly commend it to the fair judgment of a benevolent reader borne on the wings of learning, and according to that person’s opinion, I shall judge what is good or bad about me and my works.

TEXT XI.

Let him also see that he himself takes great pleasure in the dark enigmas of things, while I strive to bring into the light of the intellect those very things involved in obscurity. That former way is familiar to the Chemists, Hermeticists, and Paracelsians; the latter is the proper possession of Mathematicians.

ANALYSIS.

I hardly grasp the man’s meaning in this place; indeed, I see that he has taken my mind poorly and in a way contrary to what I intended. I, who long to explain the mysteries of the Ancients and contend to reveal the hidden in a natural way, am perceived as "taking pleasure in dark enigmas of things" for the very reason that I have voluntarily undertaken to manifest to the world and make known to men things which have long been hidden and buried in the monuments of more secret learning. Therefore, one must conclude that the Author—rapt in excessive contemplation of the heavens—is delirious, or rather "insane with reason," because of the unstable conception of that opinion.

Certainly, a man of sound mind in the same nation as he—indeed a most learned man and far deeper than the Author himself in the inspection of natural things (known to me only through letters, out of his own grace)—reports these things in his writings sent to me: Who would not commend your singular skill in the investigation of things, where you recall, as if from Orcus The Roman underworld; here used to mean "the depths of obscurity.", the true principles of things which Hippocrates once treated through shadows in some places and superficially, and which Paracelsus treats today, etc. Another Doctor, a Frenchman by nation, also unknown to me, wrote to me in these words: You indeed do what especially becomes a good man and a Philosopher, holding out to all a beautiful specimen of your genius, learning, and industry, etc. And a certain other German Doctor wrote to me thus: Your writings are greatly approved by the intimate cultivators of the more secret Philosophy; it will therefore be your task to bring the rest of those things which seem to regard the Macrocosm and Microcosm The Great World (the universe) and the Little World (man/humanity). to the navel Original: "ad umbilicum perducere." A Latin idiom meaning to bring a work to its final completion or conclusion., etc. I could produce many other testimonies of learned men in this place, who are all far removed from that opinion of Kepler’s: namely, that my pleasure is to hide the mysteries of the Ancients...