PREFACE.

...of your natural gifts, I do not even wish to touch upon, lest by this mountain of praise I incur the suspicion of flattery, rather than celebrating you with a just tribute—one that requires a more learned pen and demands a longer speech. Therefore, I shall also say nothing of the ancient fame of your lineage, nor of the most noble line of your grandfathers and great-grandfathers. I shall say nothing of your mother, Lady Anna, a matron of rare character from the most illustrious House of Hesse original: "Hessorum." The Landgraviate of Hesse was a significant territory in the Holy Roman Empire., to whom I am greatly indebted. Likewise, I will not speak of the kinship by which you are most closely joined to the most powerful and pious Prince of all Germany, Frederick, the Elector Palatine Frederick III, Elector Palatine (1515–1576), a major figure in the Protestant Reformation., through Lady Amelia—his Highness's wife, a woman who can never be praised enough, and the sister of your own wife. Why should I recount these things so meagerly here, when they are already well known to everyone to your great credit? I only ask most humbly that you accept this token of my respect for your Grace original: "tuam Clem." abbreviated from "Clementiam," a formal title of address for a high-ranking noble. with a benevolent spirit. By doing so, I will be assured that I have not committed that foul crime of ingratitude original Greek: "ἀχαριστίας" (acharistias). Weyer uses the Greek term to highlight the severity of being unthankful.. Indeed, I am well aware of how much I am bound to your Grace by the heap of favors you have bestowed upon me. In return, I offer and dedicate my whole self and all that I possess to you, and I commend my descendants to your Grace. I humbly pray to God, the Best and Greatest original: "Deum Opt. Max." (Optimum Maximum), a title for God borrowed from the Roman "Jupiter Optimus Maximus.", from whom alone all salvation must be sought, that in His immense goodness He may deign to protect you and your most pious wife from all evil every day of your lives,

original: "quo Spartam quam nactus es, feliciter exornare." Literally "adorn the Sparta you have obtained." This is a classical proverb meaning one should do their duty and improve the place where they were born or the office they hold.