Page:The sidereal messenger of Galileo Galilei.pdf/138

 ed a lei con ogni riverenza bacio le mani, e dal Signore Dio le prego somma felicità.

"[Di Firenze li 26] di Marzo 1611. Di Vostra Signoria Illustrissima e Reverendissima obbligatissimo Servidore,

When translated, the meaning is as follows:—

"Your last letter has exceedingly pleased me, especially that part which assures me of the friendly feeling entertained towards me by the most illustrious Imperial Counsellor, Wagher, which I for my part highly appreciate. And since the cause of this friendliness is, that I have incontestably demonstrated by some observations of mine certain conclusions which he had long held as true, I wish to confirm my possession of favour, which I value so much, and accordingly I ask you to give him this piece of news from me; that I have most conclusive arguments ready, showing clearly that, just as he holds, all the planets receive their light from the sun, being by constitution bodies dark and devoid of light; but that the fixed stars shine by their own proper light, not needing to be illuminated by the