The entire page is framed by a decorative rectangular border of repeating woodcut ornaments, including scrolling foliage and floral patterns. The text is set in a single block, punctuated at the bottom by two symmetrical woodcut tailpieces featuring stylized floral motifs and grotesque mask-like designs.

PREFACE.

The indentation of the first line suggests a missing decorative drop cap, likely the letter "D" for "Diligence." This was common in early printing where spaces were left for artists to hand-paint letters later. [Dili]gence in employing my time fruitfully without sparing any labor of either my body or my spirit. Thus, having first gained long experience in warfare, and then through the very frequent reading I have done day and night of the most famous writers on this miraculous science referring to Mathematics, I have clearly recognized that, without any doubt, the sole foundation and secure base of all other liberal and mechanical arts consists in a true understanding of the honored Mathematics. Within these sciences, one finds the perfection of all instruments and all machines, both new and old—things that bring great convenience and benefit in times of war as well as peace to every kingdom and province of any great Monarch in the world, for their preservation and defense. Therefore, moved by the inviolable law of Nature (which, according to the mind of Plato, dictates that man is not born to be profitable to himself alone, but also to all others A reference to a famous passage in Plato's Ninth Letter to Archytas: "each of us is born not for himself alone...") and simultaneously prompted by the burning desire I have always had to be of service to the world, I have wished to bring to light this rich Treasure of the aforementioned machines and instruments. These I have had engraved on copper Copperplate engraving allowed for much finer detail than woodcuts, making it the "state of the art" technology for technical manuals in the late 16th century. to the best of my ability, appearing as lifelike figures, along with their operations and marvelous effects; considering the infinite utility and singular benefit they can bring generally to every Prince, every brave Warrior, and in short, to every kind of person, of whatever quality and condition they may be. Thus I now present them as a gift to all noble spirits who, enticed by the purity of virtue, take delight in this most excellent art of Mathematics—as anyone will see who takes pleasure in reading this present Volume that I offer to them. In it, one can perceive all those stupendous things that nature, art, or human ingenuity can or knows how to do through such science before the eyes of the living.

Mathematics, machines, instruments, Plato, virtue, Treasure, Monarch, Warrior, human ingenuity