Galileo Galilei (1590)
I take an ill that is second to no other,
An ill that is the cause of other ills,
The worst ill in the world;
That whoever has perfect eyesight can see,
That being dressed is but the right thing:
This even animals know,
That live outdoors and naked;
In both hot and cold weather,
They are never dressed or seek shelter.
Thus I put this question to you and I'll conclude,
And, despite yourself, I'll make you confess,
That the best thing in the world would be to go naked.
And so that you can see that what I say
Is true, and that it is as I say,
I put it to your reason and logic.
Go back to ancient times,
When there was no malice or fraud,
And when Heaven and Nature were man's friend;
You will find that all people young and old
Went about naked all year round,
This is what is written in history books.
People didn't even wear underpants,
and everything that was beautiful
was left uncovered for all to see.
Another thing that puzzles me
Is what I am about to tell you;
I cannot understand how it is possible
That if a person for his own amusement,
A person who is bright and intelligent,
Goes about naked, people say he is crazy:
Children cry out after him: ``Look at him, look at him;''
Some pinch him and bite him,
Throwing stones at him and deriding him.
Others want to tie him up like an animal,
See how strange people are!
If you think this is right,
Then I believe that the heaven
should be the kingdom of stars and planets.
But if this is what God wants,
Since He can do what He wants,
Then I too will go about dressed,
And I will say no more:
I too will follow this fashion,
But only God knows how it pains and hurt me to do so!
(Translated by Annie Kelly)