Page:The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart.pdf/138

134 already said, there were many). And I asked: "How, then, is it that though everything can be seen through these spectacles, they yet do not avoid such shocks?" It was answered me that this was the fault, not of the spectacles, but of those who knew not how to use them. The masters then said it was not sufficient to have the spectacles of dialectics, but that the view must also be cleared by a clear eye-salve composed of physics and mathematics; therefore should these proceed to other lecture-rooms and strengthen their eyesight. And I to my guides: "Let us also go there." But I did not succeed in this before, induced by Searchall, I had procured and fastened on some of these spectacles. And it seemed to me that it was true that I saw somewhat more, and that some things could be viewed in divers fashions. But I continually insisted that we should proceed so that I might try the eye-salve of which they spoke.

6. And we proceeded, and they led me to a square, in the middle of which I see a large wide-spreading tree on which grew sundry leaves and sundry fruits (all, as it were, in the shell); they told me that this was Nature. Round it there was a crowd of philosophers examining it, and expounding to one another how each of the branches, leaves, and fruits should be named. And I said: "I hear that these men learn how to name things, but that they comprehend Nature I do not as yet see." The