The Mathematicall Praeface to Elements of Geometrie of Euclid of MegaraDee, John
Philosophy
The Mathematicall Praeface to Elements of Geometrie of Euclid of Megara
Dee, John
Geometry -- Early works to 1800; Mathematics -- Early works to 1800; Philosophy -- Early works to 1800
giue backe (in maner) by reason of an Image,
[☞ A marueilous Glasse.]
appearing in the ayre, betwene you & the glasse, with like hand, sword
or dagger, & with like quicknes, foyning at your very eye, likewise as
you do at the Glasse. Straunge, this is, to heare of: but more
meruailous to behold, then these my wordes can signifie. And
neuerthelesse by demonstration Opticall, the order and cause therof, is
certified: euen so, as the effect is consequent. Yea, thus much more,
dare I take vpon me, toward the satisfying of the noble courrage, that
longeth ardently for the wisedome of Causes Naturall: as to let him
vnderstand, that, in London, he may with his owne eyes, haue profe of
that, which I haue sayd herein. A Gentleman, (which, for his good
seruice, done to his Countrey, is famous and honorable:
[S. W. P.]
and for skill in the Mathematicall Sciences, and Languages, is the Od
man of this land. &c.) euen he, is hable: and (I am sure) will, very
willingly, let the Glasse, and profe be sene: and so I (here) request
him: for the encrease of wisedome, in the honorable: and for the
stopping of the mouthes malicious: and repressing the arrogancy of the
ignorant. Ye may easily gesse, what I meane. This Art of _Perspectiue_,
is of that excellency, and may be led, to the certifying, and executing
of such thinges, as no man would easily beleue: without Actuall profe
perceiued. I speake nothing of _Naturall Philosophie_, which, without
_Perspectiue_, can not be fully vnderstanded, nor perfectly atteined
vnto. Nor, of _Astronomie_: which, without _Perspectiue_, can not well
be grounded: Nor _Astrologie_, naturally Verified, and auouched. That
part hereof, which dealeth with Glasses (which name, Glasse, is a
generall name, in this Arte, for any thing, from which, a Beame
reboundeth) is called _Catoptrike_: and hath so many vses, both
merueilous, and proffitable: that, both, it would hold me to long, to
note therin the principall conclusions, all ready knowne: And also
(perchaunce) some thinges, might lacke due credite with you: And I,
therby, to leese my labor: and you, to slip into light Iudgement,
[* ☞]
Before you haue learned sufficiently the powre of Nature and Arte.
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