The Principles of Statics

Worn by the ground, behold, she comes, she sees, and deeply penetrates
Nature’s winding paths, so that those things which seem miraculous
may free us from our trembling superstition.
" To marvel at nothing is the greatest thing, Reader, but that A reference to Horace's "Nil admirari," a Stoic ideal of equanimity.
" was this: to know the causes that author wonders.

An ornamental woodcut headpiece shows a symmetrical design of scrolling vines, leaves, and floral motifs.

REGARDING THE SAME Likely referring to "Regarding the same author" or "Regarding the same subject."

An ornamental woodcut initial 'A' features a seated female figure amidst foliage, holding a palm branch, a traditional symbol of victory or peace.
For works beginning, a far-shining face is needed.
May the honey-voiced Muse grant this to you, Muse.
Tell then, if there ever was a great man and a great work
greater than the divine work Stevin has set forth?
For indeed the Chaldeans obtained wisdom, and then the Hebrews,
and once the Romans. But Muse, you were born of Greece,
and you know Pythagoras, Plato, and Aristotle,
the clear-shining star of physical wisdom.
They tell what the earth is, and what the heaven above the brow is,
the sea and the sun, and the misty chaos.
And you know the dear heart of Mathematics, Euclid,
the ever-envied star of Muse-inspired wisdom,
who measured all things. And another found the number of the sand
I mean Archimedes A reference to Archimedes' work, The Sand Reckoner*, where he calculated the number of grains of sand that could fit in the universe..

elsewhere, but I shall speak in well-ordered words, in vain...