Mathematical Garden (1563) - Page 2

ADAMUS FUMANUS OF VERONA

TO THE READERS.

This good man, wishing to teach us fine knowledge,

fashioned this beautiful book.

He laid out the laws of the Earth's middle, and of numbers,

and many secure rules of the heavens,

and the complex signs of ancient lines.

He set the circles of the stars and the paths of the Sun and Moon

clearly upon these pages, for those wishing to learn.

And ten thousand other brilliant and varied things: in all of these

is profit for you, and for your words, the greatest grace.

Some of these things were worked on by others before,

but shown to no one yet in such a harmonious way.

For he has gathered the flowers of the visible arts,

using these or other methods.

Come then, and gladly receive all these things,

as many of you as divine love of wisdom has stirred within.

And show much gratitude to the good man, for whose labors

he made our labors lighter.

A decorative printer's ornament featuring a scroll and foliage.

Adamus Fumanus of Verona to the Reader.

These things which the author of the world noted in the heavens with solid diamond when he founded the great work of the world, he did so that the human race might derive many benefits from them by lifting their eyes on high. Since he saw that many were despairing, because these things were surrounded by great darkness, our writer has reduced them into a small book, teaching everyone in great light here. Read it, and after you have read it, may I die if you do not say that these were treasures of rare knowledge. Let others live on hay and chaff, but this one man, most chosen, is worthy to live on ambrosia referring to the food of the gods, implying high intellectual quality.

Stamp of the Regensburg State Library.