De Incantationibus

variation of meaning This sentence completes a thought from the previous page regarding the editor's corrections to the manuscript.; for in some places, things were read that were obscure and confused—due to the fault of the scribe, I believe. But there is no reason for anyone to seek literary elegance here; for we are not all Ciceros Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BCE) was a Roman orator whose prose was considered the gold standard for Latin style during the Renaissance. Gratarolo is warning the reader that this is a technical work, not a literary masterpiece., nor do we even come close. Therefore, those who are more fastidious, or who desire a knowledge of words more than of things, may certainly abstain from reading it, if they wish.

Furthermore, most excellent Prince, since—following the accepted and honorable custom—I had to seek out a patron to protect me against rivals and malicious critics vitilitigatores original: "vitilitigatores." A Latin term for those who take pleasure in finding faults or starting petty, litigious arguments., under whose shield and the brilliance of whose name this book might go out into the mouths of studious men; and since in this extreme shortage of patrons Maecenases original: "Maecenatum." Named after Gaius Maecenas, the famous Roman patron of Virgil and Horace; the term became a synonym for a wealthy and influential supporter of the arts and sciences. I hardly knew whom I might safely approach, [I heard] of your Highness's humanity and piety from...