D E D I C A T I O N .

providence acts slowly, but the span of our individual lives flies away swiftly. I was taught, indeed, by sacred oracles original: "sacris oraculis." A reference to the Bible or divine revelation., that all things are destined by God for certain and beneficial uses: even these dissonant things, to illuminate and commend the sweetness of Harmony. Why my desires should command me to expect some beginning of restored harmony especially from your Davidic Harp original: "Harpe Dauidicâ." This refers to King James's reputation as a scholar-king and poet, likening him to the biblical King David, a musician and unifier., Illustrious King, is not for this place to explain at length, lest I seem to disregard the warnings of the prudent. Yet, no one may forbid me to touch upon this part of the glory of your deeds, long ago confessed by the whole world: that having acquired the kingdom of England by inheritance and the consent of the people, you shortly gave to it the name of Great Britain, shared with the Kingdom of Scotland. From both provinces you tempered one Kingdom and Harmony (for what else is a kingdom, but Harmony?); you most happily removed the hereditary discord of the most hostile Nations; you utterly extinguished the memory of frequent and most bloody slaughters, by which, as if by certain marks, the series of centuries was punctuated.

This domestic work of yours seemed to me to contain a sign (among other weightier matters) that was not untrustworthy: that even abroad, as a King among Kings, and a Defender of the Faith among the faithful of Christ, you would perform some greater, more excellent, and even more lasting work. This indeed I pursued both with my silent prayers and with a public omen in my book on the new star original: "libro de stellâ nouâ." Referring to Kepler's 1606 work De Stella Nova, which discussed the supernova of 1604 and was also dedicated to James I., which burned like a Carbuncle original: "Carbunculus." A reference to a glowing gemstone; Kepler mentions this was a well-known Scottish verse or heraldic reference associated with the King’s ascent.. Therefore, as if what I hoped for and prophesied were already accomplished, I proposed all the more firmly to attune my own Worldly Harmonies original: "Mundanas Harmonias." The title of the present work, Harmonice Mundi. to such a praiseworthy Harmonizer original: "Harmoştę." From the Greek harmostes, meaning a regulator or governor who brings order..

I would wish here that public Dissonance, of voices clamoring in three ways original: "Vocum trifariam." Likely a reference to the three main religious/political factions of the era: Catholics, Lutherans, and Calvinists., were a little milder to me, so that I might be heard publicly according to the sentiment of my soul: in which matter, what outcome might have seemed to breathe upon my prayers? what wounds of the head, which...