M. Vitruvii, viri suae professionis peritissimi, De architectura libri decem, ad Augustum Caesarem accuratiss. conscripti: & nunc primum in Germania qua potuit diligentia excusi, atque hinc inde schema tibus non iniucundis exornati

te, melo

cis id ex
eniam
. Et for
ceri con
no lustis
impura
is quam
Graecas
, quibus
facistam

• Romae
  rum fru
  que eius
  m perti
  na quod
  Nunc in
  quae tuc
  Sed haec
  nnullos
  aut mole
  c resim
  s: sed po
  u adetus
  quae illi
  folusin
  edulo &
  s, quod
  Rogabis
  re condi
  e fontis
  effinis,
  er, fita
  . Quan
  e min

a disgrace it is that those who wish to have not only a place, but also some rank among the learned, cannot distinguish the parts of their own houses by their proper names. But if one has busied oneself with Vitruvius not in a drowsy manner, he will return to each part its own proper name. Then it cannot be, but that you will frequently hesitate in reading ancient writers if you have not been helped by the aid of this one. This is the second benefit, which one ought not to despise. Lazarus Baifius original: "Lazarus Baifius" obtains no small praise because, by collecting testimonies from everywhere and comparing them with each other, he opened the path to the understanding of nautical matters. Why that? Indeed, because by this industry of his, he directed as if by the hand those who needed a helper to understand ancient histories. Therefore, those who read that book do not think they are wasting their time. What then shall we think of Vitruvius? Who, having encompassed not just one part but so many things at once, did not dig up buried monuments of antiquity here and there, but left us the very antiquity, of which he was an eyewitness, described as if on tablets. Nor should you object to me that the way of the ancients was completely different from our own, and therefore the names they used neither suit our times nor can be understood by us. For although the tenth book is judged by some to be more abstruse, we see, however, that Budeaus original: "Budæu", helped by the works of the priest Jucundus, has adapted the names of the machines to our age and present usage. Nor do I deny that there are some things which hardly any human will ever attain, but these ought not to be a hindrance to investigating the rest. To these also is added a third: that he does not speak as a manual laborer, but explains the things he treats, which are drawn and taken from the fountains of the liberal arts, with reason. Thus, they will recognize here many things of Philosophy taken from their inner treasuries. Mathematicians will have matters in which to exercise themselves. Musicians will have the principles of their art translated from Aristoxenus.

Wherefore, in publishing Vitruvius, I think I have not served the interests of literature badly: and I trust this labor of mine will be approved by men of right and sound judgment. But what we have achieved, although it is fair to leave it for others to estimate...