Geography
Original
“Geographie teacheth wayes, by which, in sũdry formes, (as Sphærike, Plaine or other), the Situation of Cities, Townes, Villages, Fortes, Castells, Mountaines, Woods, Hauens, Riuers, Crekes, & such other things, vpõ the outface of the earthly Globe (either in the whole, or in some principall mẽber and portion therof cõtayned) may be described and designed, in cõmensurations Analogicall to Nature and veritie: and most aptly to our vew, may be represented.” Of this Arte how great pleasure, and how manifolde commodities do come vnto vs, daily and hourely: of most men, is perceaued. While, some, to beautifie their Halls, Parlers, Chambers, Galeries, Studies, or Libraries with: other some, for thinges past, as battels fought, earthquakes, heauenly fyringes, & such occurentes, in histories mentioned: therby liuely, as it were, to vewe the place, the region adioyning, the distance from vs: and such other circumstances. Some other, presently to vewe the large dominion of the Turke: the wide Empire of the Moschouite: and the litle morsell of ground, where Christendome (by profession) is certainly knowen. Litle, I say, in respecte of the rest. &c. Some, either for their owne iorneyes directing into farre landes: or to vnderstand of other mens trauailes. To conclude, some, for one purpose: and some, for an other, liketh, loueth, getteth, and vseth, Mappes, Chartes, & Geographicall Globes. Of whose vse, to speake sufficiently, would require a booke peculier.
Musean translation
Modern machine-assisted Musean edition by Mouseia, from Dee's 1570 Praeface. Latin quotations and titles are translated into English, using Dee's own English glosses where provided. Printer's type-size markup is normalized; marginal notes are kept as asides. Billingsley's separate address is omitted. Uncertain readings are marked.
"Geography teaches the ways by which, in various forms (as spherical, planar, or other), the situation of cities, towns, villages, forts, castles, mountains, woods, harbors, rivers, creeks, and such other things upon the surface of the earthly globe (either in the whole, or in some principal member and portion of it contained) may be described and drawn in proportions analogous to nature and truth, and represented most aptly to our view." Of this art how great pleasure and how manifold the commodities that come to us daily and hourly, most men perceive. While some, to beautify their halls, parlors, chambers, galleries, studies, or libraries; others, for things past, as battles fought, earthquakes, heavenly fires, and such occurrences mentioned in histories: by that livelike, as it were, to view the place, the neighboring region, the distance from us, and such other circumstances. Others, presently to view the wide dominion of the Turk, the vast empire of the Muscovite, and the little morsel of ground where Christendom (by profession) is certainly known. Little, I say, in respect of the rest, etc. Some, either to direct their own journeys into far countries, or to learn of other men's travels. To conclude, some for one purpose and some for another like, love, get, and use maps, charts, and geographic globes. Of whose use to speak adequately would require a book of its own.
Plain English translation
Modern machine-assisted Plain English edition by Mouseia, from Dee's 1570 Praeface. Latin quotations and titles are translated into English, using Dee's own English glosses where provided. Printer's type-size markup is normalized; marginal notes are kept as asides. Billingsley's separate address is omitted. Uncertain readings are marked.
"Geography teaches the ways in which, in various forms (as spherical, plain, or other), the situation of cities, towns, villages, forts, castles, mountains, woods, harbors, rivers, creeks, and such other things, on the outer face of the earthly globe (either in the whole, or contained in some principal member and portion of it) may be described and drawn, in proportions analogous to nature and truth, and may be represented most fitly to our view." Of this art, how great pleasure and how many benefits come to us daily and hourly is perceived by most people. While some use them to beautify their halls, parlors, chambers, galleries, studies, or libraries; others for things past, such as battles fought, earthquakes, heavenly fires, and such occurrences as are mentioned in histories, by that to view, as it were, the place, the neighboring region, the distance from us, and such other circumstances. Some others, to view at once the large dominion of the Turk: the wide Empire of the Muscovite; and the little piece of ground where Christendom (by profession) is certainly known. Little, I say, in respect of the rest. etc. Some, either to direct their own journeys into far lands, or to understand other people's travels. To conclude, some for one purpose and some for another like, love, get, and use maps, charts, and geographic globes. Of whose use, to speak fully, would require a book of its own.
About this section
Geography is part of The Mathematicall Praeface to the Elements of Geometrie by John Dee. This page sets the 16th-century English original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is part 8 of 34 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
Open the work page for the full contents, every edition, and the download links, or go back to Explore to browse other complete works in the European tradition. The reader keeps your place when you are signed in and lets you compare the original with each translation, one edition at a time.