On the Construction of Engines of War (Belopoeeca)

...and having been avoided until now, we have not only rendered these works into Latin, but have also restored them nearly to their original luster—augmented with diagrams and commentaries—for the surviving copies were most corrupt, mutilated, and covered in a great deal of neglect.

Therefore, although several of my friends not only encouraged me but truly urged and impelled me to release this labor, I could scarcely bring myself to listen to them. This was because I knew that the very subject at hand is considered empty today; following the invention of those bronze engines original: "æneorum tormentorum." Baldi is referring to cannons and gunpowder artillery.—should I call them monsters or thunderbolts?—these ancient devices bring little utility or importance to military affairs. Yet, while I was turning this over in my mind, I realized that the work of those who strive with their whole heart to bring light to ancient and noble learning, and to rescue from darkness the best inventions of the ancients—whatever they may be—is undoubtedly to be praised and promoted.

For even if the writings of the illustrious ancients in this field are no longer entirely useful or practical, no sane person would deny that these old things can be, or at least become, inspirations for great thoughts for modern original: "neotericis" minds. Today, all the arts thrive and have nearly recovered their former beauty—not only the noble arts, but even the manual ones. Therefore, it was not right that the knowledge of this most beautiful art, so highly praised in ancient times, should utterly perish through the negligence of men in our own time.

You, therefore, most illustrious and Reverend Lælio, if in the meantime you find some leisure amidst the greatest and weightiest occupations by which you are distracted, and if you should occasionally return to the study of those things in which you have taken great delight since your youth, do not despise these works. For in reading this little book, if you do not find practical utility, you will certainly find a noble pleasure, not unworthy of a free man.

But if, meanwhile, with the talent and knowledge of things in which you excel, you find something in it either incorrectly understood or poorly translated, please forgive me. I would wish that you judge my effort not by its ultimate success, but by my spirit and my desire to be of service, in some small way, to you and to all others who take pleasure in these studies. Farewell, from Urbino.