On the Threefold Minimum and Measure

GIORDANO BRUNO OF NOLA ###

...having been described. But let him consider these to be words and voices of the Gods,
adapted to these meters, fitting these very meanings—
however unwillingly—since our thoughts will give their own weight
to our words once malice, having been suppressed,
has yielded; and new arts will begin to be understood,
what they hide, and what they reveal. Then, by the power of merits,
140 many things will be reborn which have already fallen, and those words
which were once held in honor shall fall; for such is the decree of usage. Bruno is paraphrasing Horace’s Ars Poetica: "Many words shall be reborn which now have fallen, and many shall fall which are now in honor, if usage so wills it."
We ourselves shall be the source of usage and principle, when we dig out
from the depths of darkness the dogmas of the ancient wise men,
which were once most clear in their ancient words. For the sake of novelty
(if there be need) in these matters, from whatever source they may be
most conveniently drawn, we shall even be the authors of new words.
Let grammarians deal with words; but let words serve us.
Let them observe the usage which we ordain for them.
Nor should that foolish and impudent race, with their violated minds,
150 confound the species or disturb the whole genus, lest everywhere
the arts be dragged back onto the cobbler’s bench of the grammarian. original: "crepidam grammaticalem." A "crepida" is a Greek-style sandal; Bruno is mockingly suggesting that grammarians try to fit the vast "arts" of philosophy into the narrow "shoe" of their linguistic rules.
For you, O Muses, from whatever direction you come
as companions, Wisdom—that high lineage—will receive you as welcome guests,
even if the words of the Cumaean Sibyl Cumaean Sibyl: A priestess of Apollo whose prophetic utterances were famously cryptic and written on leaves.
or the funeral pyres of Evander Evander was a legendary hero who brought Greek culture and the alphabet to Italy before the founding of Rome. Bruno is referencing the most ancient, archaic roots of language. are brought back from the scrolls: all are approved.
Let those who compose verses to produce no real fruit original: "ad nullas fruges." Scholars who write technically perfect but intellectually empty poetry.
display no refined specimen, simply because Ovid and Virgil
yield fragments of patchworks patchworks: (Latin: "centones") poems made up of various lines or phrases taken from other authors. everywhere. I shall see
the struggle of panting Hercules, expressed in living forms,
160 as he presses Antaeus In Greek mythology, the giant Antaeus was invincible as long as he touched the Earth; Hercules defeated him by lifting him into the air. Bruno uses this to represent the triumph of his "higher" philosophy over grounded, materialistic thought. with redoubled strength.
I shall see the fall of the world, when Phaethon handled
his father’s chariot. Phaethon attempted to drive the chariot of the Sun but lost control, nearly destroying the earth. Bruno often uses this myth to describe the danger and glory of seeking infinite knowledge. Just like the burning palace of heaven
to be beheld. Just as the sea surges toward Olympus with a smoking whirlwind.