DEDICATION

)( 3

For the other qualities, which are accustomed to invite the cultivators of letters original: "litterarum cultores," referring to scholars and devotees of learning to offer the offspring of their genius original: "ingenii foetus," a common early modern metaphor for books or intellectual creations to men who flourish in authority, power, and the favor of princes—namely, a singular favor toward the liberal arts original: "bonas artes," the "good arts" or humanities and their students, a sense of humanity, and a spirit ready to help others—since these are seen in you, MOST ILLUSTRIOUS MEN, not individually but all together, and are joined among themselves in a most beautiful bond, it can be unknown or obscure to no one that these qualities have led me, following many others, to not allow myself to be deterred from this undertaking. Indeed, this very work, which now comes before your sight as a monument original: "monumentum," a token or testament of respect of my spirit toward you, is not foreign to the nature of the duty original: "muneris," the professional or moral obligation of his office imposed upon me; so too will it simultaneously show you original: "condocebit," to clearly demonstrate or inform that nothing is more important to me,