THE SECRET OF SECRETS

OF ARISTOTLE.

Preface.

Most glorious son, most just emperor: may God confirm you in the way of knowing the Creator and yourself, and that you may walk in the path of truth and virtue; and may He repress beastly appetites, and confirm your rule, and illuminate your genius for His service and honor. I have received your letter honorably as is fitting, and I have fully understood that you have a desire for my person, that I should be with you. You wonder how I can abstain from you, arguing that I care little for your works. Furthermore, for this reason I have determined and proposed to make a canon for your clemency, which will be a book weighing all your works, fulfilling my place, and a most certain rule for all that you might wish, and which I would show you if I were present with you. Indeed, you ought not to argue with me, since you know, or should know, that I do not omit coming to your most extensive glory out of contempt, but because the gravity of age and the weakness of the body have circumscribed me and rendered me ponderous and unable to travel. Moreover, that which you asked and desire to know is an arcanum of such a nature that human breasts can scarcely endure it. How, then, can it be depicted in mortal skins? To that, therefore, which it befits you to inquire and which it is permitted for me to treat, I must and am duly bound to respond. Just as you are bound by the duty of discretion not to demand more from me than this secret which I have handed over to you in this book. For if you read and understand it attentively and studiously, and fully know what is contained therein, I believe without doubt that there will not be between you and that which...