The Pneumatics of Hero of Alexandria

and so, receiving this gift with the same cheerful countenance with which you were accustomed to receive Commandino, console his sad and grief-stricken daughters, kinsmen, and Fatherland. Do not let it be a burden to you to occasionally set aside the more serious studies of Theology to give attention to this most ancient Philosopher and Mathematician. For just as the ears of youth are wonderfully delighted by those Philosophers who teach them sciences under the veils of fables original: "sub fabularum inuolucris"; so this man’s writings, drawn from a deeper philosophy penitiore Philosophia [profound or inner philosophy], may appear to be merely playful trifles original: "ludicra quædam" invented only to delight the senses, yet they most greatly refresh and capture our minds. From this work, you will be able to learn many things by which your most pleasant gardens—both in the city and the suburbs The text refers to the Cardinal's "vrbani & forosem pronienses" gardens.—can be made much more joyful and ornate, so that they need not envy those of Tivoli A reference to the famous gardens of the Villa d'Este in Tivoli, which were world-renowned for their elaborate water features and hydraulic automata.. I hope that you will soon command them to be decorated not only with the wonderful inventions of this author, but also—such is the subtlety and sharpness of your wit—that you may add even more elegant things to them. Thus may God, the Best and Greatest original: "Deus O. M.", an abbreviation for Deus Optimus Maximus, grant that you may long be happily refreshed by them, and from there take such pleasure that you might imagine what the pleasant green meadows of Paradise are like—which await you most joyfully after you have steered the helm of the Christian Commonwealth Reip. Christianæ [the Republic of Christendom] for many years.

If by chance, fair reader, you find anything in the diagrams or the translation of this golden little book of Hero that does not reflect the diligence and wonderful erudition of the translator, know that this was printed after his death. Therefore, if anything lacks the final hand original: "extrema manu"; a Latin idiom for the final polish or finishing touches an author gives to a work before publication, because it was not polished by him, blame death; which always snatches away the more elegant and highly valued geniuses. But give thanks to Almighty God that, by His favoring will, He delayed death for so long before it could rage against him, so that through his writings, the bites of envious teeth A metaphor for critics or rivals who might seek to disparage a scholar's reputation. need not be feared.