PREFACE TO THE KING

...nakedness Continuing from the previous page's thought about covering "nakedness" with feathers of mercy. with certain Mysteries of Hermes, Ostanes, Pythagoras, Democritus, and Anaxagoras: into which we descend by means of our Hieroglyphic Demonstrations, not as if begging for credibility from those men in these matters. Dee claims his "Hieroglyphic" method proves the truths of ancient philosophers (like Hermes Trismegistus or Pythagoras) independently, rather than relying on their reputations to prove his own work. And such great Rarity is accompanied everywhere by a conjoined Goodness: so that we PROTEST that nothing, either openly or secretly, has been set down by us in this booklet which is not likewise Honorable, sincere, and suited to Human Dignity: most useful for the pursuit of the most perfect Piety and true Religion. And as certainly as no one can rightly handle original Greek: ΟΡΘΟΤΟΜΕΙΝ (orthotomein); a term meaning to cut a straight path or handle a matter correctly, often used in the New Testament regarding the word of Truth. such arduous Mysteries, except he who has the most thorough perspective of their entire Breadth: so no one would more quickly betray his own childishness, malice, or arrogance than he who would dare either to condemn as Impious, or to reject as frivolous, anything of those things which we have here commended to Your Wisdom. Since no witness can be brought forward for this matter—one sharper in Judgment, more experienced in Practice, more powerful in Authority, or more faithful in Sincerity—than He whom the Supreme King of Kings, the Almighty, has made King: MAXIMILIAN. Therefore, Your August Majesty shall be to me in the place of all others: for whom these works of ours, being Approved and held Valid, will not only stop the mouths of many worthless Grammarians original: "Triobolarium... Grammaticastrorum"; "Triobolary" refers to something worth only three obols (a cheap coin), used here to insult pedantic critics who focus on words rather than wisdom. but will also lift up the spirits of many practicing Philosophers: who either now lie on the ground on account of the proclaimed uncertainty of such great mysteries; or, on account of the Rarity of these matters, fear the arrogant judgments of commanders: who (rashly...)