TO THE ILLUSTRIOUS MARINO

BOBALI, SON OF ANDREAS,

OF RAGUSA. Modern Dubrovnik, Croatia.

This belongs to the Library of Saint Francis of the City original: "S. Francisci de Urbe"; likely referring to a Franciscan monastery in Rome.

A central woodcut emblem depicting a stylized human face framed by a pair of large, feathered wings, possibly a cherub or a representation of the wind.

A decorative drop-cap initial 'V' featuring floral and architectural motifs.

IT WAS an ancient custom of the Northern peoples, Illustrious Knight, to drive their daughters of marriageable age out from their paternal homes without a guide, so that by wandering through diverse regions and making themselves known original: "corpus invulgando," literally "prostituting the body," here used metaphorically for exposing oneself to public view in their travels, they might acquire a dowry and a husband for themselves according to their wishes. I had taken it into my mind to do the same regarding this offspring term: offspring (fœtura) — a common Renaissance metaphor for a newly written book of mine, and to follow the custom of those nations; for when I recognized that it had reached a suitable age, I intended to send it out as a pilgrim, so that it might arrange its character and present itself to all in such a way that it might seek out a husband and patron suited to its qualities. For as it comes forth into the light in a new form, walking along new paths, and bringing new things not seen for many centuries, I feared lest it might win the hatred of many by such great novelty. I promised myself that there would be no lack of those who, both secretly and publicly, would pollute it with the contagion of reviling original: "sugillationis," referring to bruising or insulting and trample it underfoot. I speak of those who, laboring under such great sluggishness of mind, are so addicted to the judgments of others that they are utterly stripped of any judgment of their own; and since they are unable to achieve any knowledge themselves, they wish to seem to excel at something by despising the works of others. I did not fear but that it would obtain favor among the learned, who, weary of everyday forms, receive new things (however small they may be) with the vote and applause of all. Whence, so that I might forestall those hostile men, it was the height of my prayers to find a certain man—noble, generous, famous, and excelling in judgment and the gifts of the mind—