The Starry Messenger

...that the tender little body might draw in that force and power with its first breath, together with a soul already adorned by God with the most noble ornaments. But why do I use probable arguments, when I can conclude and demonstrate this by almost necessary reasoning? It pleased God, the Best and Greatest, that I should be deemed not unworthy by your Most Serene parents to devote my efforts to teaching Your Highness the mathematical disciplinesoriginal: "Mathematices"; at this time, mathematics included astronomy, geometry, and mechanics. This I have indeed performed for the four years just recently passed, during that time of year when there is usually leisure from more severe studies. Since it has plainly happened to me by divine providence that I should serve Your Highness, and therefore I have received the rays of your incredible clemency and kindness from a closer vantage point; what wonder is it if my soul has grown so warm that it meditates on almost nothing else, day and night, than how I—who am under your dominion not only in spirit but by my very birth and nature—might be recognized as most desirous of your glory and most grateful toward you? Since these things are so, and since under your auspices, Most Serene COSIMOCosimo II de' Medici (1590–1621), Grand Duke of Tuscany, I have discovered these stars unknown to all previous astronomers, I have decided by the best right to distinguish them with the most august name of your lineage. And if I was the first to investigate them, who could justly find fault with me if I also assign a name to them and call them the MEDICEAN STARS? I hope that as much dignity will be added to these stars from this title as other stars have brought to other heroes. For I shall remain silent regarding your Most Serene ancestors, whose everlasting glory is known to all...