The Sphere of Johannes de Sacrobosco

PREFACE.

Therefore, there was no one to whom I would rather write about these arts than to you, so that you might understand that we join the recollection of your friendship with them. Although certain public monuments of yours also exist, which admonish us of your virtues and most beautiful studies. For we have Aristoteles Aristotle more corrected and polished through your benefit, whom you know I greatly admire, love, and honor. But I love him more since I have the name of a most friendly man inscribed in the vestibule of his works. But I wish it might fall to me sometime to have the leisure to illustrate and adorn this author, just as you have set out to do with great praise. For I accept that you have interpreted some books far more happily than those were accustomed to do who, a little before this age, were showing us not the native face of Aristotle, but scarcely a meager shadow, and were not teaching philosophy—that is, the science of speaking and judging wisely—but had oppressed it with idle and empty quibbles, which availed nothing for judging about civil or other great matters. But these things another time. Fare well, in the month of August.