Galileo had humbly3 submitted, had witnessed the issue of the decree of 5th March by the august council; he knew that the only correct doctrine4 of the system of the universe had been reduced to the shadow of a hypothesis, and yet he could not make up his mind to leave the capital of the hierarchy5 where such a slap in the face had been given to science. The story told in most works on Galileo, that though he had submitted to the Holy Office he afterwards used his utmost endeavours to effect a reversal of the decree, is another of the firmly rooted and ineffaceable mistakes of history. It originated in the reports of the Tuscan ambassador, Guiccardini, to the Grand Duke.[151]
This diplomatist, who was no great friend of Galileo’s, found himself in an awkward position; he had been, on the one hand, enjoined6 by his sovereign to support Galileo as far as it lay in his power, while on the other he knew that the influential7 female members of the house of Medici were very anxious to maintain the good relations of Tuscany with the Holy See; and he tried to extricate8 himself from this dilemma9 by urgently seeking to effect the recall of the inconvenient10 guest to Florence. This object runs through all the ambassador’s[92] despatches to Cosmo II. He could not depict12 in colours too glaring the passion, fanaticism13, and pertinacity14 with which, in spite of all advice to the contrary, Galileo defended the Copernican cause at Rome, though he was thereby15 doing it more harm than good. The long report of Guiccardini to the Grand Duke, of 4th March, 1616,[152] held to be authentic16 by most of Galileo’s biographers, is couched in this tone. Among other things a dramatic scene is narrated17 which was the immediate18 cause of the condemnation19 of the Copernican system. Cardinal20 Orsini, one of Galileo’s warmest friends, to whom the Grand Duke had sent an autograph letter of introduction, had spoken to the Pope in favour of Galileo in the consistory of 2nd March. The Pope replied that it would be well if he would persuade Galileo to give up this opinion. Orsini then tried to urge the Pope further, but he cut him short, saying that he had handed over the whole affair to the Holy Office. No sooner had Orsini retired21 than Bellarmine, the celebrated22 Jesuit theologian, was summoned to the Pope, and in the conversation that ensued it was determined23 that this opinion of Galileo’s was erroneous and heretical.
Guiccardini must have been greatly misinformed to send reports so incorrect to his court. As we have seen, on 19th February the Qualifiers of the Holy Office were summoned to pronounce an opinion on the Copernican doctrines24, and as the result Galileo was summoned seven days later to appear before Bellarmine, who informed him of the decree, and admonished25 him to renounce26 the prohibited doctrine. But all this seems to have escaped the acuteness of the Tuscan ambassador. He supposes that the catastrophe27 had been brought about by a fit of papal anger! On 4th March he only knows what was known the next day to all the world—by the decree of the Congregation of the Index—that the writings of Copernicus and other authors on the subject of the double motion were to be partly condemned28, partly corrected, and partly prohibited.
[93]
Guiccardini in this despatch11 represented, on the one hand, the difficulties into which the imprudent astronomer29 “might” bring himself by his vehemence30, and on the other the embarrassment31 in which those who took his part would be placed; he reminded the Grand Duke of the attitude which his house had at all times assumed in the past towards such attacks on the Church of God, and of the services it had rendered to the Inquisition, adding that he “could not approve that we should expose ourselves to such annoyances33 and dangers without very good reason, and a different prospect34 from that of great damage.” The most potent35 argument, however, which he saved for the close of his long epistle of 4th March, as the climax36, was the endeavour to inspire Cosmo II. with the fear that his brother, Cardinal Carlo de’ Medici, who was just coming to Rome, would compromise himself by his relations with Galileo.
From Galileo’s correspondence with Picchena, we learn in contradiction to this despatch what it was that induced him to linger at Rome after the issue of the decree of 5th March. He did not wish to return to Florence under the impressions produced by the alarming reports of Guiccardini and the rumours37 spread by many of his opponents. It is evident that he was aware of what was said of him from a passage in a letter to Picchena of 6th March. After expressing a fear that somebody not friendly to him might represent his affairs to the Tuscan Secretary of State and others in a false light, he entreats38 Picchena to maintain, until his return, the good opinion of him which his sincerity39 deserves. He is convinced that the arrival of Cardinal de’ Medici will relieve him from the need of uttering one word of self-justification, as he will hear at once what an excellent reputation he enjoyed at the Court of Rome. He then goes on, as if directly refuting Guiccardini’s accusations40:—
“Then your Grace will learn, above all, with what composure and moderation I have conducted myself, and what regard I have had for the honour and good repute of those who have eagerly tried to injure mine[94] and certainly your Grace will be surprised. I say this to you, most honoured sir, in case any false accusations of the kind should reach your ears from any quarter; and I hope that credit will be given to a party not adverse41 to me, so that a more just understanding may be arrived at.”
Meanwhile Galileo’s position became more favourable42, because the Pope received the submissive philosopher very graciously on 11th March, and gave him an audience which lasted three-quarters of an hour. He seized the opportunity of speaking to Paul V. of the intrigues of his enemies, and of some of the false accusations against him; to which the Pope replied that he was well aware of the rectitude and sincerity of his sentiments. And when Galileo, in conclusion, expressed his fears of the perpetual persecutions of relentless44 malice45, the Pope consoled him by saying that he need not fear, for he was held in so much esteem46 by himself and the whole Congregation, that they would not listen to these calumnies47, and as long as he occupied the chair of St. Peter, Galileo might feel himself safe from all danger. Paul V. also repeatedly expressed his readiness to show his favour by his actions.
Galileo hastened on the very next day to make known the favourable result of this audience to Picchena, the Secretary of State, in a long letter.[153] The effect of it, however, was quite different from what he probably expected. The Court of Tuscany, which had been not a little disquieted48 by Guiccardini’s alarming despatch, thought it a good opportunity to press upon Galileo, now that his fame was so brilliantly re-established, to leave Rome and return to Florence. This was the tenor49 of Picchena’s reply of 20th March.[154] Their highnesses, evidently still under the impression of Guiccardini’s letter, implored50 Galileo to be quiet, and no longer to discuss this dangerous subject, but to return.
Encouraged by the Pope’s friendly words, however, Galileo[95] showed no disposition51 to take these plain hints, and we learn from his further correspondence that his tarriance at Rome was fully52 approved by the Tuscan Court. Thus we read in a letter of 26th March: “As to my return, unless his Highness wishes it otherwise, I shall, in accordance with your commands, await the arrival of his Reverence53 the Cardinal.” And further on: “After the arrival of the Cardinal I shall stay here as long as his Highness or the Cardinal pleases.”[155]
To the great annoyance32 of Guiccardini, Galileo remained three months longer at Rome—beneath those skies which, according to the ambassador, must prove dangerous to him in consequence of his vehement54 temperament55, “especially at a time when the ruler of the eternal city hates science and polite scholars, and cannot endure these innovations and subtleties56.” This portrait of Paul V. was undoubtedly57 a correct one. He cared very little for learning, and displayed a harsh and sometimes savage58 character; while the inviolability of the dogmas of the Church, ecclesiastical privileges, and blind obedience59 to the faith, were supreme60 in his eyes. We will just remind our readers that it was Paul V. who, just after his elevation61 to the papacy, had a poor wretch62, named Piccinardi, beheaded, because, for his private amusement, he had written a biography of Clement63 VIII., in which he was not very aptly compared with the Emperor Tiberius, although the work was not intended for publication,—a sentence which occasioned great consternation64.
At a time, therefore, when the tiara was worn by a man of this character, the atmosphere of Rome might certainly have been dangerous to an ardent65 explorer in the fields of natural science. But as Galileo did not suffer any sort of papal persecution43 during his stay there, it is obvious that the character drawn66 of him by Guiccardini was very much exaggerated. This also refutes the constantly reiterated67 fable68 that Galileo was eagerly trying to get the decree of 5th March repealed. The vehement agitation69 imputed70 to him by[96] the ambassador, and this bold attempt, would have been speedily followed by penalties. But history knows nothing at this period of misunderstandings between Galileo and the Church; indeed we possess a document which entirely71 contradicts the reports of Guiccardini. This is a letter from Cardinal del Monte to the Grand Duke at the time of Galileo’s departure from Rome, written expressly “to bear witness that he was leaving with the best reputation and the approval of all who have had transactions with him; for it has been made manifest how unjust the calumnies of his enemies have been.” The cardinal adds, “that having conversed72 much with Galileo, and being intimate with those who were cognisant of all that had taken place, he could assure his Highness that there was not the least imputation73 attaching to the philosopher.”[156]
But to return to the course of events. The Tuscan ambassador continued to send disquieting74 letters to the Grand Duke about Galileo in order that he might be recalled. He wrote in a despatch of 13th May: “ ... Galileo seems disposed to emulate75 the monks76 in obstinacy77, and to contend with personages who cannot be attacked without ruining yourself; we shall soon hear at Florence that he has madly tumbled into some abyss or other.”[157]
Cosmo II., not a little alarmed by these gloomy prognostications of his ambassador, and really in care for the revered78 philosopher, at length issued the order for his long-desired return. Picchena then wrote the following drastic letter to Galileo, on 23rd May:—
“You have had enough of monkish79 persecutions, and know now what the flavour of them is. His Highness fears that your longer tarriance at Rome might involve you in difficulties, and would therefore be glad if, as you have so far come honourably80 out of the affair, you would not tease the sleeping dog any more, and would return here as soon as possible. For[97] there are rumours flying about which we do not like, and the monks are all powerful. I, your servant, would not fail to warn you, and to inform you, as in duty bound, of the wishes of our ruler, wherewith I kiss your hand.”[158]
Galileo complied without delay with Cosmo’s wishes, and set out on his homeward journey on the 4th of the following month.
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1
repealed
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| 撤销，废除( repeal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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2
intrigues
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| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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3
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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hierarchy
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| n.等级制度；统治集团，领导层 | |
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enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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12
depict
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| vt.描画，描绘；描写，描述 | |
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13
fanaticism
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| n.狂热，盲信 | |
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pertinacity
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| n.执拗，顽固 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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16
authentic
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| a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的 | |
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17
narrated
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| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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19
condemnation
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| n.谴责; 定罪 | |
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20
cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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23
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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24
doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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25
admonished
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| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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26
renounce
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| v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系 | |
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27
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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28
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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29
astronomer
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| n.天文学家 | |
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30
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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32
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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annoyances
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| n.恼怒( annoyance的名词复数 )；烦恼；打扰；使人烦恼的事 | |
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34
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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38
entreats
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的第三人称单数 ) | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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40
accusations
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| n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名 | |
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41
adverse
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| adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的 | |
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42
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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43
persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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44
relentless
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| adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的 | |
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45
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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46
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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47
calumnies
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| n.诬蔑，诽谤，中伤（的话）( calumny的名词复数 ) | |
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48
disquieted
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| v.使不安，使忧虑，使烦恼( disquiet的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
tenor
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| n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意 | |
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50
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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52
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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53
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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54
vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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55
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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56
subtleties
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| 细微( subtlety的名词复数 )； 精细； 巧妙； 细微的差别等 | |
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57
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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58
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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59
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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60
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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61
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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62
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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63
clement
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| adj.仁慈的；温和的 | |
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64
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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65
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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66
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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67
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68
fable
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| n.寓言；童话；神话 | |
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69
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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70
imputed
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| v.把（错误等）归咎于( impute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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72
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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73
imputation
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| n.归罪，责难 | |
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74
disquieting
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| adj.令人不安的，令人不平静的v.使不安，使忧虑，使烦恼( disquiet的现在分词 ) | |
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75
emulate
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| v.努力赶上或超越，与…竞争；效仿 | |
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76
monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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77
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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78
revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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monkish
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| adj.僧侣的，修道士的，禁欲的 | |
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80
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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