Dedication

☛ Andreas Corvus Latin: Corvus means "Raven." This is the pseudonym of Bartolomeo della Rocca (1467–1504), a famous Italian chiromancer and physiognomist. to Giovanni Francesco Gonzaga Gianfrancesco II Gonzaga (1466–1519), the Marquess of Mantua and a celebrated military commander., the most deserving Marquess of Mantua, with the highest reverence, sends his best greetings. The Latin abbreviation S.P.D. stands for Salutem Plurimam Dicit.

Most distinguished Prince, adorned in every respect: I have decided to publish for the general public this book on palmistry chiromantia: the art of reading character and fortune from the lines of the palm which was dedicated to your Highness in previous years. I do this at the request and urging of many honest men and friends. I certainly would not have yielded to this most honorable petition had your most auspicious and martial name, inscribed at the beginning, not protected both the work and its author from the bites of detractors by a certain patronage of its own.

Therefore, just as it previously entered your court—which is most full of every kind of virtue—reverently and without fear (as is fitting), so now let it go forth securely into the densest crowd of all sorts of people, supported by that shield of yours. By this protection of the twin Pallas A reference to Pallas Athena, goddess of wisdom and war. The author suggests Gonzaga embodies both the military and intellectual aspects of the goddess.—that is, by your most beautifully conducted deeds of Mars The god of war. and by your favor and magnificence toward Apollo The god of music, poetry, and light.—you have prepared a double trophy.