New Philosophy of Our Sublunary World

[of its] parent, the foul unfairness of the times easily breathes out [malice], which must be overcome by properly invoking the power of a designated Patron. Nor was that patron to be sought from afar, since it was not the recklessness of fortune that offered you to us—snatching at whatever is nearby for help—but rather reason that chose you from a selection. You have shown such great affection toward me and toward all writings of exquisite skill that it would be an act of ingratitude if I were to direct my hopes for goodwill and for a defender against this age of petulant Criticism original: Criticâ to anyone else. You will look more kindly upon whatever fortune has allowed here that requires excuse—in books which, by an unlucky fate, did not experience the final polishing original: limam — literally "the file," a common metaphor for the final editing and refinement of a manuscript of their Author.

For an effort in such difficult subject matter—one which expects progress from all future generations—must not be cheated of its rightful praise, even if it has occasionally fallen into error. This author suffered from the unfortunate hand of copyists original: librariorum — refers to the scribes or clerks who transcribed the original manuscript, often introducing errors, from whom the best works often emerge in a most corrupted state; furthermore, while bringing noble daring and a praiseworthy self-confidence to these arduous tasks, he was unable to enjoy the further progress of a longer life. Indeed, the labor of every age will find—if it does not allow itself to be squeezed into the narrow constraints of an intellectual Dictatorship original: Dictaturæ — likely a reference to the rigid "dictatorship" of Aristotelian philosophy, which Gilbert and other early modern scientists were working to overturn that clips the wings of great geniuses attempting great things—in