Egyptian Oedipus, Volume 1

...[that they should] fear, you reject by your very deeds, while you substitute a pronouncement truly worthy of Caesar: let them not fear, provided they love; I prefer to be respected than to be feared by my own. original: "ne metuant, dum diligant; malo vereri, quàm à meis timeri." This is a virtuous reversal of the infamous tyrant’s motto, "let them hate, provided they fear." But what shall I say of the true standard of Wisdom—I mean, of letters and the sciences?

TO YOU belongs a mind wonderfully capable of understanding all things; TO YOU a tongue that is the interpreter of all justice: as many words as you pour forth, so many laws you establish. In your knowledge of multiple languages, the World looks up to a revived Mithridates Mithridates VI of Pontus was famously said to have mastered the twenty-two languages of the nations he ruled.; in the choir of humane letters and the Muses, it recognizes an Apollo; in your skill in hidden Mathematics, it acknowledges a great Alfonso Likely referring to King Alfonso X of Castile, known as "the Wise," a famous patron of astronomy.; and finally, in secret Philosophy, it admires Hermes Trismegistus The legendary "thrice-great" Egyptian sage to whom many foundational texts of alchemy and philosophy were attributed..

Nor do you pave the way toward the laurel of the learned in any other way than by your own example, since already from a tender age you have erected a training ground original: palæstram, a wrestling school or place of exercise, used here metaphorically for a place of intellectual development. for all the Muses within YOUR breast. Thus, the literary world acknowledges with joy that the heights of the liberal arts are now crowned not only with the poet's Laurel, but also with the Imperial Diadem; it sees that the long-standing conflict between Mars and Pallas Mars represents war, while Pallas Athena represents wisdom and the arts. This suggests that the Emperor has brought peace and intellectual flourishing to his war-torn lands. and her sisters has finally been settled.

Since you are therefore such a man and so great, O MOST WISE CAESAR, YOU alone were to be chosen as the Patron original: Tutor, meaning a protector or legal guardian. of this work. Because of the admirable Wisdom with which you are endowed, you are not only able to judge this new offspring—so unusual in its rarity—but also to defend it against the contentions of detractors by your authori-