PRAEFATIO
[From a long-lost classical manuscript of speculative origin]:
FIGMENTA
Litterae figmentorum sunt omnes divisae in partes tres, quarum unam incolunt res horriferae, aliam res phantasticae, tertiam inventa scientiae naturalis. Hae omnia lingua, sensu, locis inter se differunt. Litterae rerum horriferarum Horror appellantur, illae rerum phantasiae Phantasia appellantur, et tertiam Fabulae Scientiae. Multi auctores talis litteras scripsere. Unus, quie fabulas atque historiam sciebat, scripsit “Ab urbe astrorum condita”. Alius, qui carmina de sua femina atque phantasia faciebat, scripsit, “Draco, deliciae meae puellae.” Et alius poeta, qui omnia visu horribilia amabat, scripsit, “Monstra mortemque cano.” In hoc libero sunt alia scripta de pluribus auctoribus Universitatis Princetoniensis, quae nobis alterum orbem figmentorum monstrant. Lege, et nostris figmentis delectare.
C. IVLIVS OSCARIVS
PREFACE
FIGMENTS
All literature of figments is divided into three parts, one which horrible things inhabit, another fantastic things, and a third, imaginations of science. These all differ with respect to style of language, feeling, and place. The literature of horrible things is called Horror, that of fantastic things Fantasy, and the third Fables of Science [Science Fiction]. Many authors have written such literature. One, who knew Fables and History, wrote “From the Founding of the City of the Stars.” Another, who used to make poems about his woman and fantasy, wrote, “Dragon, delight of my girl.” And another poet, who loved everything that was horrible to see, wrote, “Monsters and death I sing.” In this book there are the writings of more authors from Princeton, which show us the other world of figments. Read, and be delighted by our figments.