Ocellus Lucanus: On the Nature of the Universe

...will distract [me], and my mind will always value even a meager store of philosophy more than the possessions of others. This, therefore, I have decided—if not to profess it publicly—at least to pursue it privately, Cicero, De finibus bonorum et malorum, last book. so that my mind might be relieved of its troubles chiefly by this means, Seneca, Epistle 8. which will always exhort us to obey God willingly and to resist fortune stubbornly. Moreover, I thought it opportune to publish public testimonies of this most constant will, so that while living I might avoid the cruel punishment of a cenotaph. Aristotle seemed first of all to summon my labors, to whom I had consecrated the better part of my age in private and public studies; but his countless most learned commentators deterred me from this purpose, The case of Thamyris. fearing the ill-fated fate of Thamyris, who once had improvidently attempted to contend with the Muses in harmony with rash daring. Dio Chrysostom, Oration 13, On Exile. From that course, to be sure, I who was terrified that cenotaphs would be built for me, would undoubtedly have seen true sepulchers erected by my labors. Encomium of Ocellus. Therefore, one above all others occupied my devotion: the most ancient and wise writer Ocellus Lucanus, who, since he was almost the first who could reach the very heart of the universe with a fortunate daring,

Boethius, De consolatione, Book I, meter 2.

Although placed below Peripatetic excellence, he nevertheless deserved admiration with an authority greater than that which the majesty of nascent philosophy had conferred upon him; and to this author, with all risk set aside, it was permissible to add a full commentary. Nogarola’s notes on Ocellus. For the eminent virtue of Ludovico Nogarola, who had long since illustrated him with notes, did not threaten any wretched mishaps; for by having appended those briefly, he rather invited the more extensive studies of others, and that most distinguished man most kindly carried a most splendid torch before the new commentator. The most learned [man] had once recommended this author to me—of whom my knowledge had previously been very slight—with no common praises...