Tetrabiblos (The Quadripartite Book)

that are to come about through the surrounding body: and their occasions, as if they were strong and were in the knowledge of these things: and in the doctrine of curing things curable for the greater part: because it cannot be that all bodies and infirmities are of the same quality of intemperance: and that through medicine and through things convenient and not convenient to each body they might exist stronger in the protection of future infirmities: and also that he might heal with a medicament, in which there is neither imperfection nor any deception, those things which have already happened: and that from this they might attain to the highest perfection to which anyone can reach.

And the ancients placed the virtue of the utility of this art in one degree with the virtue of the prognostications which they noted in their books on physics: so that one might know through the stars the states of the complexions of the times and the infirmities that ought to happen in the works of the celestial body which will arrive at these same infirmities: because from these things he will know the mixtures which they would have to make: for the most part: since all bodies and all infirmities of that state could not be of one temperament: and so that they might know physics well: and those things which are convenient for each body and infirmity, according to that, he commanded each to be guarded by a protection convenient to it: so that it might not incur the infirmities themselves that were destined to come, by such, namely, medicine: in which there would be no error or defect: and they might arrive at that cure to a congruent end.

He wishes to say by this saying that the wise men of Egypt knew that this art held itself much with physics: they involved one part of it in their books on physics: so that one might know through astronomy the complexions which are proper to each: and those things which happen in the air by which bodies are changed and what kind of accidents arise from those very mutations. And for the reason he said that they know these things and the mixtures which happen for the most part: and the other thing which he said. He wishes to say that since they observed: that bodies and infirmities are of many and diverse manners: they observed in this art for the sake of knowing the accidents which occur in the air and they gained wisdom from physics from the mixtures convenient to each of the accidents: and through these two arts: they had great virtue in governing and guarding the health of bodies and in medicating infirmities of whatever kind might occur: in such a way that error would not happen there: nor defect in their work. For this saying teaches us the perfection and great goodness of the wise men of ancient Egypt: who were of great sense: and I well believe that Hippocrates and Galen and all the Greek physicians held this way: since we shall find in their books: that they instruct us to apply the mind to such things.

This, therefore, had to be premised by speaking generally.
These, however, are the things which it was fitting for us to set down generally.
He wishes to say that whatever he said from the beginning until here is a thing which it is fitting for a man to understand: and to look into it: so that he may know what the general sayings are: and on account of this he will better understand the particulars of this art.
Consequently, we shall proceed in the introductory manner to the things to be said.

And now we wish to place the things we shall say in an introductory manner.
He wishes to say that those things which he will teach us in this book from here on: are rules and roots of this art such that when we understand them well: by whatever part of this art we wish to go: we shall be able to proceed. And this book will be entirely introductory: by which we understand all the reasons of this art.
And we shall first manifest those works, by which the alterations of celestial things properly occur.
Beginning to speak of the works which make the mutations proper to celestial things.
He wishes to say that he will begin to speak of the rules and roots pertaining to each of the celestial bodies, namely, to each separately by itself: and through all parts of this art these are composed of these simple things.
And we shall execute this by the experiments of the ancients disposed in natural order: and of these we shall first treat the works of the erratic stars and the luminaries, God willing.
And we shall follow then those ancient wise men who are ordered by natural ordination to speak first of the works of the two luminaries: and of the seven erratic planets.
He says that whatever he wishes to say in this book is according to the proofs and rectification of the ancient wise men: and as they were experienced in how it is fitting by nature to dismiss only those things which do not suit nature. For first he begins with the two luminaries and the 5 erratic planets: because he found them to be of greater work in earthly things: than all other celestial bodies: because their own proper motions are thus diverse by nature and of many mutations: just as earthly things are and of great conversion: and because through these we can arrive at knowing the virtues of other celestial bodies. For here is finished the reason by which he spoke in this chapter. And it is fitting that you hold all past reasons present in your memory: when he first begins with the two luminaries before the laws and as you will be able to understand whatever he wishes to say: because he will speak in that manner and you will understand this if you do so. Here, however, we wish to complete this treatise of the gloss: and let us begin the second treatise of the gloss of the fourth chapter of the first part of Ptolemy: because up to here it was all of one reason. And from here on he speaks of another reason.
Second treatise of the gloss of Haly on the first treatise of Ptolemy's book. Haly said.

In the first treatise we glossed those things which it is fitting to set before the particulars of this art. And in this other one we shall gloss the sayings of Ptolemy: which he said concerning each of the planets by itself. And we shall prove that in this his opinion is greater than all others. And know that we have never found another gloss in this book. I believe, however, that some ancient wise men would not have left it without a gloss: but it never reached us nor our land. It is fitting, therefore, that you render thanks to God: that he deigned to open to us the words of this good man which were thus closed. Verily, however, if you find any error in these words of ours, you ought to correct it: nor should you impose blame on us: since there is no man who can avoid all errors.
In the strengths of the luminaries and erratic stars. Chapter IIII.
This is the fourth chapter in which he speaks of the virtue of the two luminaries and the erratic planets. Ptolemy, concerning everything that he speaks of in his books, holds the path which Aristotle held: in those which he made. And it is well apparent