On the Names of Plants

...we desire nothing else, except that these commentaries, whether German or Latin, be read and judged by all with the same spirit with which they were written and translated by us. For they were not published for this purpose, that they might bring any glory to either the author or the translator, or detract anything from others who treat the same subject; but that they might bring some benefits, if not excellent ones, to those devoted to botanical matters; and that we might be found among those who seemed to wish to help the Commonwealth, according to their strength, with the gift bestowed upon them by God, Best and Greatest. And we are not at all concerned as to what place these works of ours might hold; just as we do not take it ill if the writings of others are preferred to our labors. Let each indeed have his own honor: and let each obtain that authority which he deserves; provided only that envy and the zeal for slandering depart. I have set forth not only the common danger of both—that is, the author and the translator—but I have also briefly and in passing touched upon what our intention was in the publication of this work: so that Your Highness may recognize that we seek a just and necessary defense. Wherefore, omitting the circumlocutions which modesty is wont to suggest to honorable men in their petitions, let me dispatch what I wish in few words: I greatly ask and beseech Your Highness that you deign to protect and defend these commentaries, of whatever sort they may seem to others, against our unfair judges. Furthermore, I am of good hope that we shall suffer no refusal in this matter, nor will Your Highness undertake the defense of this work with reluctance. Nor do I see (if I may speak with Your Highness’s leave) by what reasoning Your Highness could either refuse us patronage, or disapprove of the counsel relying upon which we did not hesitate to dedicate to Your Highness whatever it is that we have performed in preparing this work. For if we wish to consider either the author himself or the work: to whom rather was this translation of Tragus’s Commentaries to be dedicated...