TO THE MOST REVEREND

AND MOST ILLUSTRIOUS

PRINCE AND LORD,

LORD PHILIP

VALENTINE, Philipp Valentin Voit von Rieneck (1612–1672) served as the Prince-Bishop of Bamberg. As a "Prince-Bishop," he held both religious authority over the diocese and secular political power as a prince within the Holy Roman Empire.

BISHOP OF THE IMPERIAL CHURCH

OF BAMBERG,

PRINCE OF THE

HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE,

MY MOST MERCIFUL LORD.

Learned Decorative woodcut initial M depicting foliage and floral patterns antiquity, Most Reverend and Most Illustrious Prince, Most Merciful Lord, has often marveled at the truly singular The author is beginning a classic rhetorical opening, comparing the devotion found in ancient history to the dedication he feels toward his patron. affection of parents toward their children, of children in turn toward their parents, and of certain friends toward their friends...