EPISTLE.

-duction? You have given me the boldness to undertake such a task, the courage to pursue it; and the means to bring it to an end. For this is here one of the strongest tasks (one will grant me this, I am sure) and of the most laborious for translation, that can hardly be approached from Greek or Latin into the common language. Everything there is full of Prosopopëies personifications, Hypotyposes vivid, lifelike representations, and Ecphrases rhetorical descriptions of artworks: we do not know how properly to call these fictions of persons: representations to the life: and very natural descriptions; which introduce things more distinctly to our apprehension; bring them much better to our feeling; and imprint them more vividly in our knowledge; than all the masterpieces of painting and imagery that have ever come from the most sovereign ancient masters. But because these are all specific words, most of them taken from the mechanical arts; from the sciences, disciplines, professions, and trades upon which they depend, and particularly assigned to them; one must be more than moderately instructed in the use and notice of many things, to render and express as one must, what he says: at least if one wants to second him in his grace, propriety, and significance: for he competes in this with his pen against the most famous and renowned brushes.

THIRDLY, as for a faith and homage; for the respect, honor, and reverence that all people of study owe you; since you show yourself so affectionate a protector of them: who favors, assists, and maintains them in all that your authority and credit can extend. Who tries above all to guarantee good letters from between the inhuman paws of two vile and hideous beasts, Obliance Oblivion and Barbarie Barbarism; which already breathe closely upon them, on the point of swallowing them up. Who hold as no closer relatives in this world;