D E D I C A T I O N.

It exceeds the capacity of any speaker to extend an inadequate pen further; where it is safer and more fitting to admire the splendor of such great merits with blinking eyes original: "conniventibus oculis" - a metaphor for being dazzled by bright light alongside the entire world, lest the contemplator of majesty be overwhelmed by glory. This is especially true since the modesty of your Majesty would not bear it—you who are most humble in the greatness of your soul and vast dignity, and in such humility of soul, THRICE GREATEST EMPEROR original: "TER MAXIME CÆSAR". The sole reason for my undertaking is to show that you, such a great Emperor, must be chosen as the unique protector of this work. To you, this and all other pledges of my most devoted servitude are owed for more than one reason. For you alone are that most just judge of affairs, who can judge this new offspring—unusual in its variety and the rarity of the deeds performed by the primeval Kings of Egypt after the flood—with the scale of admirable wisdom, and who can defend it against the quibbling of detractors by granting a safe protection to its novelty through the authority of your power.

Perhaps someone will accuse me because I have not feared to interrupt you, Emperor, while you are intent on the heavier cares of the world, with my writing. I would certainly fear, had not the same most high and most humane personage graciously invited my humble self from the august throne of majesty to interrupt, encouraged me when I doubted, and urged me when I hesitated. Hence it has happened that this work, although in itself unworthy and narrow in the eyes of your Sacred Imperial Majesty, nevertheless seemed august and worthy by this title alone: because the Augustus The Emperor ordered it, and having promoted it with more than royal munificence, called it forth into the public light. Therefore, MOST MUNIFICENT EMPEROR, placing all praise or pardon in the sole glory of obedience, I return to you what you gave to me. This work is not so much mine as yours, because I acknowledge myself entirely yours, as great as I am; it is mine only in that you made it mine through your by far most munificent support. Farewell, pillar of the Christian world, the ideal of Emperors, and the delight of the human race.

I gave these things at Rome in the year 1676, on the 9th day of June, sacred to the Martyrs Primus and Felicianus June 9th is the feast day of these Roman martyrs. Just as this day stood as the birthday term: genethliacus (birthday/natal star) for your Imperial Majesty, so may it also be a presage of your coming happiness, and a favorable and fortunate prelude for the entire Christian commonwealth.