Archimedes Texts

126
that had made the experiment: for whoever shall examine the
same, shall find the event succeed quite contrary to what hath
been written of it: that is, he shall see the stone fall at all times
in the same place of the Ship, whether it stand still, or move with
any whatsoever velocity. So that the same holding true in the

Earth, as in the Ship, one cannot from the stones falling perpen
dicularly at the foot of the Tower, conclude any thing touching
the motion or rest of the Earth.

The stone falling
from the Mast of
a ship lights in the
same place, whe
ther the ship doth
move or ly still.

SIMPL. If you should refer me to any other means than to
experience, I verily believe our Disputations would not come to
an end in haste; for this seemeth to me a thing so remote from all
humane reason, as that it leaveth not the least place for credulity
or probability.

SALV. And yet it hath left place in me for both.

SIMPL. How is this? You have not made an hundred, no nor
one proof thereof, and do you so confidently affirm it for true?
I for my part will return to my incredulity, and to the confidence
I had that the Experiment hath been tried by the principal Au
thors who made use thereof, and that the event succeeded as they
affirm.

SALV. I am assured that the effect will ensue as I tell you; for so
it is necessary that it should: and I farther add, that you know your
self that it cannot fall out otherwise, however you feign or seem to
feign that you know it not. Yet I am so good at taming of wits,
that I will make you confess the same whether you will or no. But
Sagredus stands very mute, and yet, if I mistake not, I saw him
make an offer to speak somewhat.

SAGR. I had an intent to say something, but to tell you true, I
know not what it was; for the curiosity that you have moved in me,
by promising that you would force Simplicius to discover the
knowledg which he would conceal from us, hath made me to de
pose all other thoughts: therefore I pray you to make good your
vaunt.

SALV. Provided that Simplicius do consent to reply to what I
shall ask him, I will not fail to do it.

SIMPL. I will answer what I know, assured that I shall not be
much put to it, for that of those things which I hold to be false,
I think nothing can be known, in regard that Science respecteth
truths and not falshoods.

SALV. I desire not that you should say or reply, that you know
any thing, save that which you most assuredly know. Therefore
tell me; If you had here a flat superficies as polite as a Looking
glass, and of a substance as hard as steel, and that it were not pa
ralel to the Horizon, but somewhat inclining, and that upon it
you did put a Ball perfectly spherical, and of a substance grave and