The header "Soli Deo Gloria" was a common Reformation-era dedication, reflecting the author's Protestant leanings.

OTTO BRUNFELS ON THE UTILITY and Excellence of Herbs, and of Simple Medicine

P R E F A C E.

After Alexander, son of Philip, had defeated Darius at Arbela, he inquired of his governors for a shortcut by which one might travel safely from Persia into Egypt. A certain merchant was brought to him—a man experienced in many matters, though of obscure rank, a Sidonian by birth (the historian Lucian does not record his name). "I, O King," he said, "promise to show you a path from Persia into Egypt that is not long. For if one crosses these mountains—and he shall cross them in three days—he will immediately be in Egypt." And indeed, such was the case. But Alexander, being ignorant of the geography and thinking the merchant an impostor, stubbornly rejected the good man's wholesome advice; he was, no doubt, driven to madness by that blind love of self. Plato once considered that vice to be the fountain of all evils. And not unjustly so, in my opinion. For sometimes either the lowliness of a person or contempt for them—and then that philautia original Greek: φιλαντία; self-love or conceit by which everyone is pleased with themselves—causes us to refuse even the most sound and correct advice, while we embrace the very worst. Gottfried Bey This name appears to be a later owner's mark or a specific citation added to the text.

I fear, therefore, that what happened between the Merchant and Alexander might happen between me and the Seplasiarii perfumers or sellers of ointments, the Agyrtae itinerant quacks or street-performers, and the Pharmacopolae drug-sellers or apothecaries: namely, that if I should demonstrate a certain Method, by which not only—