On the Movement of Animals, Part One

We intend, therefore, to satisfy three classes of persons: by providing the Author with the fruit of such great labor, which an utterly immortal name will follow; by exhibiting to the MOST CLEMENT QUEEN a testimony of Her munificence toward the Author and Her love for Virtue; and, finally, by offering to the Republic of Letters such a brilliant treasure of doctrine, in which the mechanical craft of Nature in forming and preserving the bodies of Animals—hitherto hidden—is discovered, so that a very wide field is opened for either learning or speculating on other new things. Therefore, kind reader, take this in good part, and congratulate us on the glory granted to us, which many Academies from more remote parts of the globe have avidly desired. Many, I say, and the Universities of Holland, France, and Italy, have most vehemently demanded the work from the Author, promising to publish it at their own expense; yet Borelli prudently postponed them all for the most August Name of CHRISTINA, and, sensing that so much honor was being conferred upon him by Her most humane MAJESTY, he ordered that this Work—truly more lasting than bronze—should stand as a grateful Monument of his soul to HER.

Perhaps certain things should have been prefaced here concerning the Author and his intent in this work; but since he has sufficiently expressed his mind and purpose in the Proemium, I believe I must refrain. But what shall I say of the Author, when his most distinguished Virtue has made him famous throughout the whole World? Naples, the most flourishing city of Italy, and the most fertile parent of heroes always resplendent in arms, letters, and every kind of virtue, rejoices to have added Giovanni Alfonso to their register on the 28th of January, 1608, born to Michael Alonso and Laura, in the garrison of the most fortified citadel, which they call Castel Nuovo, while serving the most invincible King of Spain, PHILIP III. He was called to the primary chairs everywhere for his studies of Life, Philosophy, and Mathematics, especially in Florence and Pisa, where he was always treated most humanely by those Most Serene Princes, and he published various works on these matters, such as on the causes of malignant fevers in the Tuscan language in the year 1649.