On the Magnet

one you have discussed, to pass over many other things which would be too long to recount here. Nor do I doubt that by publishing these your books on the Magnet, you will excite all diligent and industrious sailors to take no less care in observing the magnetic declination beneath the horizon than they do the variation. Since it is (if not certain) at least most probable that latitude itself, or rather the effect of latitude, can be discovered from that declination alone (even in a very obscured sky) much more accurately than longitude, or the effect of longitude, can be found from variation, even when the sun itself is shining and all the stars are bright, and even when the most exact instruments of any kind have been used with the greatest skill. Nor is there any doubt that those most learned men, Petrus Plancius (a man most studious not so much of Geography as of magnetic observations) and Simon Stevin, an excellent mathematician, will rejoice not a little when they first behold these magnetic books of yours, and perceive their limenavreticen the art of finding ports/harbors, or their method of investigating ports, so much increased and enriched by such a great and unexpected addition; and they will undoubtedly excite all their own navigators (as far as they are able) to observe the magnetic declination beneath the horizon everywhere, no less than the variation. Therefore, may your magnetic philosophy come forth into the light under the best auspices (most learned Dr. Gilbert), not merely kept back for the ninth year (which Horace advises), but held back for nearly another nine years, having finally been brought forth from the shadows and thick darkness of those who philosophize idly and meagerly, after so many continuous years of your labors, studies, vigils, arts, and not moderate expenses, with an infinite number of skillfully applied experiments; nor were those things neglected, but diligently read and weighed, which have been published in the writings of any of the ancients or moderns. Nor should it fear the brow or prejudice of any supercilious and lazy Philosophaster a petty or inferior philosopher, who might seek a vain glory by either enviously carping at the work of others or by stealthily arrogating it to himself: for Envy disparages the talent of the great Homer, but whoever you are, you take your name from that Zoilus a Greek grammarian famous for his criticism of Homer.

Let your physiology of the Magnet (so long suppressed), and the philosophy of the great Magnet (the Earth, namely), which can never be sufficiently admired, finally come forth into the sight of all: for believe me (if the prophecies of poets have any truth), these your books on the Magnet will endure for the perpetual memory of your name more than any monument of any magnate placed upon your tomb.

Verborum