The First Principles of Natural Things

...with those small gifts, they dared to pray that he would again favor their wishes. In a word, according to the status and fortune of the family estate, they renewed the honors in his temples as their guardian—the one among the many gods who was most favorable, kind, and helpful—and they piled the altars with gifts.

I myself, when more than twelve years ago I dared to offer to Your Serene Highness original: Vestræ Serenitati some crumbs of this grain—meaning these thin pages of unrefined and unpolished wisdom original: Minervæ; referencing Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and spinning, here used to represent the author's intellectual work—I happily recall that you deigned to approve and show favor upon seeing them.

Because that was evidence to me of a favorable reception, I return—if you will pardon me—to your altar, following the ancient custom. Though I cannot proclaim wealthy honors in temples, sacrifice snow-white sheep original: bidentes; two-year-old sheep suitable for sacrifice, or lead processions for you, I still dare to present an incense box original: acerram; a container for holding incense used in sacrifices now filled with the same kind of incense but in greater abundance, as a token of my gratitude.

Since the mere crumbs of that grain offered before were acceptable as a sacrifice original: litaverint; to offer a sacrifice that obtains a favorable omen, I hope the same will be true again, now that a fuller incense box is presented as a promised gift. Allow, therefore, this small work full of new principles original: Principiorum to honor you as its Protector, and let this new philosophy come before your altars as a sacred and devoted offering to you, since I cannot perform my service with better gifts. The learned world is well aware of what kind of devotee and lover of wisdom original: Minervæ and literature you are...