The Pendulum Clock

THE ECLOGUE OF DAPHNIS.

And how Conon Likely a reference to a contemporary scientist or a classical allusion to Conon of Samos, the astronomer gave the youth a telescope original: "radium," literally a staff or rod, here used for the tube of a telescope, adorned on both ends with much gold and transparent crystals; through which whatever you look at becomes near and takes on an increase in size. And he said: "Behold the gift which the clever Dutchman original: "Batavus," referring to the Dutch invention of the telescope, likely by Lipperhey or Metius first fashioned; but with which the glory of the Tuscan Arno A reference to Galileo Galilei, who lived by the Arno river in Florence, the leader of the Etruscans in the city of Antenor Padua, where Galileo taught, first measured out the kingdoms of Jove The planet Jupiter, bringing to you messenger-miracles from the sky never known before: the mountains of the Moon; the triple faces for you, Venus original: "Phosphore," the Morning Star; referring to the phases of Venus; or with what glittering retinue the star of the King of the Gods Jupiter wanders through the blue temples above in the night. You also bring forth these miracles, not known before: for you, a more skillful use of this device was reserved; and you shall disclose to mortals every secret of Saturn original: "Chroni," the Greek name for Saturn/Time. Accept this gift, once desired by us in vain."

At the pleasing name of Daphnis, the boys leap forward in a swift dance; nor does he follow more slowly. He describes how the star of Saturn—previously believed in vain to have lights imitating twin sickles Early astronomers thought Saturn's rings were two smaller planets or "ears" on either side—is shaped so differently under an oblong disk, since a smooth ring shines outside the smooth globe, 1 and a blackness of space separates them both within; while a small star Titan, Saturn's largest moon wanders around them in a tiny circle. All these things Daphnis brought forth, relying on the divine gift, things not made common before through this new art.

And he adds: that Saturn, charmed by these merits, allowed him to enter his own great sanctuaries; that here he surveyed everything with his eyes, and brought forth from there a subtle invention for cutting time; by which he might divide the hour into the smallest parts and moments, suspending soft weights original: "oscilla," referring to the pendulum from a thin thread. This device directs the labyrinthine courses of the ship original: "alni," literally 'alder wood,' a poetic term for a boat, and does not allow the master of the vessel to be ignorant of his way. To him, not even the sun original: "Titan" at its highest point in the ocean could promise such a certain authority daily; but those taught by the excellent endeavor of Daphnis shall know from which shores the sun emerges and at which it sets at that same moment.

He sings: the chorus shakes their arms in rhythm, and they beat the ground with alternating feet. Meanwhile, the joyful tunas balanced themselves in leaps above the damp seas.