¶The seconde parte of Arithmetike,
containyng the extraction of Rootes in di-
uerse kindes, with the Arte of Cossike
nombers, and of Surde nombers
also, in sondrie sortes.
¶The interlocutors, Master, Scholar.
The Master.
I See your desire can not bee satisfied, neither your request stated, vntill I maie uistly aunswere you, that I can teache you no more: whiche aunswere maie staie your request, although it content not your desire.
Scholar. I beseche God of his mercie, to withstande all suche occasion: except it maie be more to your owne contentation and profite, then it would be pleasaunt to the louers of learning.
Master. Yet a iuste excuse maie stande for my declaration: As if ignoraunce doe inforce me to state my trauell.
Scholar. Your owne ignoraūce, I trust, you will not allege: and as for the ignoraūce of other, it ought to bee no state: sith the ignoraunte multitude doeth, but as it was euer wonte, enuie that knoweledge, whiche thei can not attaine, and wishe all men ignoraunt, like vnto themself, but all gentle natures, contemneth suche malice: and despiseth theim as blinde wormes, whom nature doeth plague, to stay the poisone of their venemous stynge.
Master. We shall not nede to stande on this talke, but trauell with knowledge to vanquishe ignoraūce: And beleue that the pricke of knoweledge, is more of force then the stynge of ignoraunce: yea, the poincte inGeometrie,
