Prodromus or Fore-runner A "Prodromus" is a preliminary publication or introductory work meant to precede a larger volume.

it is accustomed to happen / that unfair judgments follow unfair fortune original: "ut iniquam fortunam, iniqua sequantur judicia". For the opposing party does not stop there / continuing to assert injustice through force / but also paints it over with a glittering appearance / as if the lamb had muddied the water for the wolf A reference to Aesop’s fables, where a wolf invents false grievances to justify eating a lamb.; this cannot come to any hearing / or any defense / but instead it is immediately said: Thus I will, thus I command original: "Sic volo, sic jubeo" — a famous Latin phrase indicating an arbitrary or tyrannical decision.: Into the Imperial Ban and Proscription original: "Acht und Aberacht" — a legal state of outlawry in the Holy Roman Empire where a person lost all rights, property, and legal protection..

Then, as many sincere hearts notice and sigh over — those who either know the true nature of the matter / or through political understanding / and experience in the affairs of the Empire The Holy Roman Empire. / recognize the hidden slanders / and can distinguish white from black original: "weiß vom schwartzen dijudiciren" — how the so-called Anhalt Secret Chancery A notorious piece of Imperial propaganda that published intercepted letters from the Protestant Prince Christian of Anhalt to make him and his allies look like traitors. is fundamentally constructed, which, along with many other hateful and defamatory writings against high princely persons and other honest people, is now frequently appearing in print. The opposing party has it easy / prevailing with the sword and open force / the defeated, on the other hand, do not even dare to mutter original: "victi autem contra ne hiscere quidem audent", as the proverb goes.

But when the time eventually comes / and the masks of this highly-praised, alleged common good / and desired peace in the Empire / are stripped from those involved / then one will see all the more clearly / what may still be hidden from many now. Whether it is also consistent with German decency original: "Teutschen Erbarkeit" / when private letters are snatched up / scattered original: "spargirt" in print, but not published publicized original: "publicirt" in their entirety from beginning to end / as they were written / but