Egyptian Oedipus, Volume 1

...to confirm with YOUR authority, and to bring a safe protection to its novelty through the greatness of your power. Perhaps someone will accuse me of rashness and find me lacking in prudence, because I have not feared to disturb YOU, the Caesar burdened with the weight of sustaining the World, with my writing. But YOU, most lofty and at the same time most humane Caesar, from the august throne of YOUR kindness and Majesty, invited my humble person to approach you; you heartened me so that I would not fear; and finally, you urged me so that I would not hesitate. From this it came to pass that this Work, however narrow and unworthy of the eyes of such Majesty, nevertheless seemed august and worthy by this very fact: that the Augustus A play on words: the Emperor's title was "Augustus," but the word also means "majestic." commanded it to go forth; and so that it might easily come into the light of day, a generosity more than Royal was provided. Therefore, MOST KIND CAESAR, what you gave to me, I return to YOU—a Work not so much mine as YOURS. It is YOURS because I acknowledge myself entirely as YOURS, for as much as I am; it is mine because by YOUR far most generous assistance you have made it mine. Shall I not sing here with the Poet? The author is quoting the Roman poet Martial, from his Epigrams (Book 9, 79 or 8, 82), traditionally addressed to the Emperor Domitian.

Now we are worthy of the ears of our master and the royal dwellings,

And may our lyre sound out with Augustus as the judge.

original: "Iam dominas aures, iam regia tecta meremur, / Et chelys Augusta iudice nostra sonet."

But I shall more boldly claim this: that this Work, arranged in the languages of nearly the entire World, [is fit for] Caesar's ap...