To Hermann!

¶ Here begins the introductory book to astronomy by Albumasar Abalachi.

A decorative woodcut initial 'A' featuring intricate foliate and vine patterns within a rectangular frame.

already in the seventh year
h. 7
the author's intention
utility
name of the author
name of the book
place in the order of disciplines
species
partial books
Albumasar the Arab

Among the ancients, it is customary to preface the principles of the arts—the external art—at the beginning of books. This is not done with any authoritative text that I have found in my own language, but rather it is prepared only by the opinion of the learned, each according to his own. Among the Arabs, however, the opposite is the case: they seem to have never even noticed the first referring to the preface, even if they occasionally and sparingly assume it; yet in our judgment, it is not a little necessary. The second referring to the title and purpose, however, did not even seem worthy of writing to them, as if they had found something so distinguished that they commended it to writing. Starting from this second type of this work, the author says: there are seven things in the introductions of all treatises: the intention of the author, the utility of the work, the name of the author, the name of the book, the place in the order of the disciplines, the species between the theoretical and the practical, and the partitions of the book. Among us, five parts often suffice, namely: the title of the work, the final intention of the author, the cause, the matter to be treated, and the order. These seem both necessary and sufficient for the beginning of almost every treatise and subject, yet he the author renders a reason for each. Since I, loathing prolixity and being almost less? in content, wished to pass over this custom when I knew it was practiced by the Latins, I prepared to start with the treatise itself. You, my special and inseparable companion in all studies and my partner in all things and actions, met me and said: "Although, my Hermann, for the sake of your love, it is not necessary to pay attention to a certain sentence in translations of things for you or for any interpreter of a foreign language, nevertheless, such a foreign path should be followed so that you do not rush ahead." For one who reads this book in the Arabic language, if he does not see it started from its beginning in Latin where the reader's gaze first falls, he may think it is not diligence but ignorance; and perhaps he may argue for the integrity of the work and accuse us of a devious digression. I obeyed, even though I undertook it through your laborious instinct, so that if anything is added to the Latin copy from this study of ours, the merit is repaid not to me, but to you. For you are the cause of the labor, the judge of the work, and the most certain witness of both, having experienced how difficult it is to change something into a suitable Latin mode from the fluid way of speaking that exists among the Arabs, and especially in those things that demand such a strict imitation of matters. Having considered these things, so that it may not be delayed any longer, let us take the beginning of the treatise from his own words. He says, the exposition of the intention, proposing the sum of the matter briefly and absolutely, prepares the student's mind to be attentive and docile. The promise of utility, alleviating the labor, adapts a certain affection of the mind in the meantime. The name of the author is necessary for two reasons: first, to make the work authentic; second, lest others, while it is vague and of an uncertain name, prepare unjust glory for themselves by attributing it to an uncertain source. The name of the book is for the testimony of attention.