TO THE CANDID READER,

A large ornamental drop cap 'H' depicts a seated figure, likely a scholar or saint, within a frame featuring architectural and floral details.

YOU HOLD, candid reader, the mathematicae collectiones Mathematical Collections of Pappus of Alexandria, translated into the Latin language and illustrated with commentaries by Federico Commandino. These were promised to you long ago and perhaps desired by you. That you now possess them, and have not been forced to wait for them any longer, you must attribute entirely to Francesco Maria, the most Serene Duke of Urbino. For he, on your behalf and for the sake of Commandino—because his heirs have never, until now, been in agreement regarding the printing of these works—took care through his own exhortations and at his own expense that they be published. That the first and second books are missing from this work is to be ascribed to the ravenous time of things, not to the negligence of Commandino. For he applied as much diligence in searching for them as perhaps he needed in finding so many other books of ancient mathematicians. However, do not fear, because this is the case, that you will profit little in geometry from this or that you will waste your effort in reading it. For unless I am deceived, and unless Commandino himself was deceived, you will experience the opposite. If this work does not appear as polished as others published by the same author, blame Death, who snatched him from us too quickly and prevented him from putting the finishing touch upon it, not him, nor his heirs. For although at first glance you might perhaps desire, as some did before the printing, that they had entrusted the burden of correcting and polishing the book to someone else and not reserved it for yourself, yet once the matter is examined more maturely, you will realize that they—although they could have done so conveniently, as there was no lack of men skilled in geometry who would have undertaken this care—judged prudently when they agreed that it was more advantageous for you, and for Commandino, if the book were printed just as it was found, without even a syllable added or taken away. Therefore, take what has been done in good part, and read the book willingly, and when you perceive that the author’s labors have profited you, you will not hesitate to give thanks by imploring the Divine Mercy for him. Farewell.

A decorative printer's ornament featuring symmetrical floral and scrollwork.