Galilei, Galileo - The systems of the world

Galilei, Galileo, The systems of the world, 1661

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With all I conceived it very proper to expreſs theſe conceits by way of Dialogue, which, as not being
bound up to the riggid obſervance of Mathematical Laws, gives place alſo to Digreſsions that are
ſometimes no leſs curious than the principal Argument.

I chanced to be ſeveral years ſince, at ſeveral times, in the Stupendious Citty of Venice, where I
converſed with Signore Giovan Franceſco Sagredo of a Noble Extraction, and piercing wit. There
came thither from Florence at the ſame time Signore Filippo Salviati, whoſe leaſt glory was the Emi
nence of his Blood, and Magnificence of his Eſtate: a ſublime Wit that fed not more hungerly upon
any pleaſure than on elevated Speculations. In the company of theſe two I often diſcourſed of theſe
matters before a certain Peripatetick Philoſopher who ſeemed to have no geater obſtacle in underſtand
ing of the Truth, than the Fame he had acquired by Ariſtotelical Interpretations.

Now, ſeeing that inexorable Death hath deprived Venice and Florence of thoſe two great Lights in
the very Meridian of their years, I did reſolve, as far as my poor ability would permit, to perpetuate
their lives to their honour in theſe leaves, bringing them in as Interlocutors in the preſent Controverſy.
Nor ſhall the Honest Peripatetick want his place, to whom for his exceſsive affection to wards the Com
mentaries of Simplicius, I thought fit, without mentioning his own Name, to leave that of the Author
he ſo much reſpected. Let thoſe two great Souls, ever venerable to my heart, pleaſe to accept this pu
blick Monument of my never dying Love; and let the remembr ance of their Eloquence aſsiſt me in
delivering to Poſterity the Conſider ations that I have promiſed.

There caſually happened (as was uſuall) ſeveral diſcourſes at times between theſe Gentlemen, the
which had rather inflamed than ſatisfied in their wits the thirſt they had to be learning; whereupon
they took a diſcreet reſolution to meet together for certain dayes, in which all other buſineſs ſet aſide,
they might betake themſelves more methodically to contemplate the Wonders of God in Heaven, and in
the Earth: the place appointed for their meeting being in the Palace of the Noble Sagredo, after the
due, but very ſhort complements; Signore Salviati began in this manner.

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