Natural Magic

and also that by your very strong safeguard and defense this my work might be protected from the calumnies of those who have the spirit so low, heavy, and dull that they cannot comprehend these wonders of nature. Praying God, my Lord, to keep you in felicity throughout the course of your life.

PREFACE TO THE READERS

Ornamental woodcut initial letter 'I' decorated with floral and vine motifs.
I present to you, benevolent Readers, a work too soon ripe, to which if I had added such ornament as I had deliberated within myself, perhaps I would have gained the favor of those who are covetous to know the secrets of nature and good letters, for as soon as they began to see this, some seeking glory through the labors of others, wanting to attribute such a work to themselves, have forged from all sides and in diverse sorts what they have written of it, and the envy of the ill-willed has indeed had such power that, as it happens that with too great affection these wonders of nature were researched by them, our work came to light and fell into the hands of men sooner than we had thought, as very