Theater of Machines, Volume 3

A decorative horizontal border at the top of the page consists of repeating floral/arabesque motifs.

A large ornamental drop cap 'B' with intricate scrollwork introduces the text.
Bountiful dear reader, since in the second part of the Theatri machinarum Theater of Machines recently published by me through the open press, the subject of water was handled, specifically how it may be raised, directed, and led in various ways—which is generally very useful and serviceable for many arts and for setting up all kinds of diversions—yet water itself, in and of itself, was ordained by God the Almighty in particular for the sustenance of human life, so that man can hardly be without it in almost anything