Archimedes Texts

SALV. Well said you hitherto, for perhaps it may anon change
countenance. And that I may no longer hold you in suspense,
tell me, Simplicius, do you really believe, that the Experiment of
the ship squares so very well with our purpose, as that it ought to
be believed, that that which we see happen in it, ought also to
evene in the Terrestrial Globe?

SIMPL. As yet I am of that opinion; and though you have
alledged some small disparities, I do not think them of so great
moment, as that they should make me change my judgment.

SALV. I rather desire that you would continue therein, and
hold for certain, that the effect of the Earth would exactly answer
that of the ship: provided, that when it shall appear prejudicial to
your cause, you would not be humorous and alter your thoughts.
You may haply say, Forasmuch as when the ship stands still, the
stone falls at the foot of the Mast, and when she is under sail, it
lights far from thence, that therefore by conversion, from the stones
falling at the foot is argued the ships standing still, and from its
falling far from thence is argued her moving; and because that
which occurreth to the ship, ought likewise to befall the Earth:
that therefore from the falling of the stone at the foot of the Tow
er is necessarily inferred the immobility of the Terrestrial Globe.
Is not this your argumentation?

SIMPL. It is; and reduced into that conciseness, as that it is
become most easie to be apprehended.

SALV. Now tell me; if the stone let fall from the Round
top, when the ship is in a swift course, should fall exactly in
the same place of the ship, in which it falleth when the ship is at
anchor, what service would these experiments do you, in order to
the ascertaining whether the vessel doth stand still or move?

SIMPL. Just none: Like as, for exemple, from the beating of
the pulse one cannot know whether a person be asleep or awake,
seeing that the pulse beateth after the same manner in sleeping as
in waking.

SALV. Very well. Have you ever tryed the experiment of the
Ship?

SIMPL. I have not; but yet I believe that those Authors
which alledg the same, have accurately observed it; besides that
the cause of the disparity is so manifestly known, that it admits
of no question.

SALV. That it is possible that those Authors instance in it,
without having made tryal of it, you your self are a good testi
mony, that without having examined it, alledg it as certain, and in
a credulous way remit it to their authority; as it is now not onely
possible, but very probable that they likewise did; I mean, did
remit the same to their Predecessors, without ever arriving at one