Page:Mathematical collections and translations, in two tomes - Salusbury (1661).djvu/151

 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 perpendicularly at the foot of the Tower, conclude any thing touching the motion or rest of the Earth.

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.

And yet it hath left place in me for both.

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 Authors who made use thereof, and that the event succeeded as they affirm.

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.

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 depose all other thoughts: therefore I pray you to make good your vaunt.

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

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.

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 paralel to the Horizon, but somewhat inclining, and that upon it you did put a Ball perfectly spherical, and of a substance grave and