Giordano Bruno: De Umbris Idearum (1582 First Edition)

a?s for our purpose? It is enough that it was understood in the intention of the au-
t?hors of this art. LOGIFER. Abbreviated as LEG. in the original, likely referring to the character Logifer.
Not concerning the poets. PHILOTHEUS. But let us follow what has been started;
l?et you read.

HERMES The author invokes the persona of Hermes Trismegistus, the legendary Hellenistic figure associated with wisdom and alchemy.

Hence (he says), since I have applied my mind to
complying with certain friends of mine,
after other arts of memory of various kinds
which we have directed privately to different people,
and communicated to others according to various ways
proportionate to their dignity and capacity:
we have compiled this one, to be preferred above all others
due to the power of the principles contained within it,
and to be considered second to none among those derived from them.
In this, indeed, I promise a technique that is easy, and a knowledge
that is by no means laborious in practice;
the book, however, with its own meanings, is by no means
accessible to everyone—contrary to the custom
of those who have handed down books on this art that are easy
and brief, but have rendered the art itself difficult and tedious.
Let few of the learned understand this book,
but let it be of use to all who do understand it;
and let it be such that all, whether unrefined or
learned, can easily know and practice it;
and which, without a teacher—provided one is well-
versed in metaphysics Metaphysics: the branch of philosophy dealing with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being and knowing. and the doctrines of the Platonists Followers of Plato, whose philosophy emphasized that the physical world is a shadow of a higher, ideal reality.—