although in 1615 and 1616 he exerted himself for Galileo personally, he in no way sought to avert the condemnation of the system.
In 1620, however, Barberini gave Galileo a really enthusiastic proof of his esteem. He celebrated his discoveries in some elegant and spirited verses, in which astronomy was allied with morality, and he sent them to Galileo, under date of 28th August, with the following letter:—
"The esteem which I always entertain for yourself and your great merits has given occasion to the enclosed verses. If not worthy of you, they will serve at any rate as a proof of my affection, while I purpose to add lustre to my poetry by your renowned name. Without wasting words, then, in further apologies, which I leave to the confidence which I place in you, I beg you to receive with favour this insignificant proof of my great affection."[1]
When this dignitary, who was generally regarded as a friend and protector of science, had ascended the papal chair, the "Accadémia dei Lincei" hastened to dedicate "Il Saggiatore" to his Holiness, in order to spoil the sport of the author's enemies beforehand.
To the annoyance of Galileo's opponents and delight of his friends, by the end of October, 1623, 'Il Saggiatore" appeared, This work is a masterpiece of ingenuity; for the author not only dexterously avoids falling into the snares laid for him by Father Grassi, but prepares signal defeats for him. Galileo takes his attack on him, "The Astronomical and Philosophical Scales," paragraph by paragraph, throws light on each, and disputes or confutes it. And it is done in so sparkling and spirited a style, and the reasoning, pervaded by cutting sarcasm, is so conclusive, that "Il Saggiatore" certainly deserves to be called a model of dialectic skill.
- ↑ Op. viii. p. 451. Pieralisi in his work, "Urban VIII. and Galileo Galilei," Rome, 1875, pp. 22, 27, gives Barberini's ode, which is in Latin, and consists of nineteen strophes, as well as a commentary on it, which has not been printed by Campanella. See also pp. 65, 66, Galileo's reply to Barberini, in which he expresses his warm thanks and his admiration of the poetry. This is not in Albèri's work.
