A decorative horizontal woodcut headpiece features symmetrical scrolling foliage, floral motifs, and stylized vines.

ERASMUS OF

ROTTERDAM TO HIS

dearest countryman

Johannes Froben, greetings.

A large decorative historiated initial 'C' features a central foliate mask or grotesque face surrounded by scrolling floral patterns within a square border.

Although everything by my friend More has always pleased me beyond measure, I have nevertheless been somewhat distrustful of my own judgment because of the extremely close friendship between us. However, when I see the learned men of one mind subscribing to my assessment, and even more passionately endorsing the man's divine genius—not because they love him more, but because they see more—I seriously applaud my own opinion, nor will I fear henceforth to speak openly what I feel. Indeed, what would that admirable natural felicity not have achieved if Italy had trained this talent? If he were entirely free for the sacred studies of the Muses, if he had ripened to his proper harvest and, as it were, his own autumn? He trifled with epigrams while quite a young man, indeed for the most part as a boy.