Archimedes Texts

28

quite differing there-from should be thence produced; and if I
fancy to my self a body under one aspect, and by and by under
another very different, I cannot think it impossible but that it may
happen by a simple transposition of parts, without corrupting or
ingendring any thing a-new; for we see such kinds of Metamor
phoses dayly: so that to return to my purpose, I answer you,
that inasmuch as you go about to perswade me that the Earth can
not move circularly by way of corruptibility and generability,
you have undertook a much harder task than I, that with argu
ments more difficult indeed, but no less concluding, will prove
the contrary.

Its easier to prove
the Earth to move,
than that corrupti
on is made by con
traries.

SAGR. Pardon me, Salviatus, if I interrupt your discourse,
which, as it delights me much, for that I also am gravel'd with
the same doubts; so I fear that you can never conclude the same,
without altogether digressing from your chief design: therefore
if it be permitted to proceed in our first argument, I should think
that it were convenient to remit this question of generation and
corruption to another distinct and single conference; as also, if
it shall please you and Simplicius, we may do by other particular
questions which may fall in the way of our discourse; which I
will keep in my mind to propose, and exactly discuss them some
other time. Now as for the present, since you say, that if Ari
stotle deny circular motion to the Earth in common with other
bodies Cœlestial, it chence will follow, that the same which be
falleth the Earth, as to its being generable, alterable, &c. will
hold also of Heaven, let us enquire no further if there be such
things in nature, as generation and corruption, or not; but let
us return to enquire what the Globe of the Earth doth.

SIMPL. I cannot suffer my ears to hear it question'd, whether
generation and corruption be in rerum naturà, it being a thing
which we have continually before our eyes, and whereof Aristotle

hath written two whole Books. But if you go about to deny the
Principles of Sciences, and question things most manifest, who
knows not, but that you may prove what you will, and maintain
any Paradox? And if you do not dayly see herbs, plants, ani
mals to generate and corrupt, what is it that you do see? Also,
do you not continually behold contrarieties contend together,
and the Earth change into Water, the Water turn to Air, the
Air into Fire, and again the Air to condense into Clouds, Rains,
Hails and Storms?

SAGR. Yes, we see these things indeed, and therefore will
grant you the discourse of Aristotle, as to this part of generation
and corruption made by contraries; but if I shall conclude by
virtue of the same propositions which are granted to Aristotle,
that the Cœlestial bodies themselves are also generable and cor