Summary: The author recounts years of diligent and exhaustive research into the mysteries of nature, characterized by countless night studies and unwavering dedication. Despite the complexity and obscurity encountered in philosophical works, filled with metaphors, enigmas, and aphorisms, the author reaches a point of exhaustion. The text describes a moment of revelation where nature itself, personified, addresses the author directly, offering consolation and wisdom. Nature, speaking in a soothing voice, reassures the author not to fear and expresses that it has been sent by God's command. The author is promised happiness in two ways: the grace of witnessing nature's wonders firsthand, despite being unlearned and unqualified, and the assurance that their doubts will be addressed. Nature invites the author to ask freely, promising to reveal the truths granted to them. The author humbly acknowledges their limitations in speech and expresses gratitude to God for this divine assignment of nature as a guide. The preface ends with nature encouraging the author to voice their doubts, promising to listen and respond, thus setting the stage for a dialogue that seeks to uncover the secrets of nature. (generated by ChatGPT)
Modern English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT on 25 February 2024. Attention: This translation is a machine translation by artificial intelligence. The translation has not been checked and should not be cited without additional human verification.
Author's Preface.
After many years spent in the investigation of the secrets of nature, with numerous night-time studies, a willing spirit, and tireless labor, I found myself exhausted. Finally, considering all such investigations, paths, tracks, as well as the deviations and winding paths that are not only full but also occupied by reeds, sketches, tropes, enigmas, and various aphorisms (not to mention disguises): For all philosophers are so full of meaning, yet not content with a single difficulty, they wrap things in such convolutions that I believe no one could reach the desired end through them. Therefore, whether to wrestle with disguises (as it pleases Pliny, to struggle with the dead) and to rather contend in the arena with nature, especially since the philosophers say: Nature will teach, which indeed, after being prodded and inquired in many and various ways (with God's permission), finally revealed itself to me: upon first encountering it, adorned and arrayed in such varieties, I was quite astonished. For all the languages of men would not suffice to elucidate their traces: But it, wishing to console me, spoke to me in a very sweet and soothing voice. Do not fear, my son (it said), for I am Nature, whom you have sought with such effort, sent to you by God's command. Rejoice, then, be glad, and rejoice, for I will make you happy in two ways. First, in that you see how much God's mercy has deigned to do for you, the most unworthy sinner, that you might see me with the eyes of your body, though you are unlearned and very poorly qualified in the sciences. Secondly, you will find consolation in that I will respond to you, who doubt in all things. Ask, therefore, as you please, and I will reveal what has been granted to you. To which I replied, Oh good Lady, spare me, I beg you, for my stammering does not allow me to offer you worthy thanks. For as you have said, I am poorly qualified in letters, so I will proceed and give thanks to my God who, in His immense generosity, has assigned you to me. But returning to the doubts in which I am immersed, I will question you: And she said, Go ahead, my son, and do not hesitate to give back what you know: I, in the meantime, will await the end of your speech.
