TO THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING.

The text is framed by an elaborate woodcut border featuring repeating patterns of floral scrolls, foliage, and geometric motifs.

...admiration of the world shines in your royal person. I shall therefore limit myself to stating only that, a long time ago, I was called and urgently invited from Italy in your Majesty’s name to relocate under honorable conditions to the service of this, your most invincible Crown. Knowing that I have encountered the most magnanimous and glorious King who today among Christians rules Europe, and as I owe infinitely to your divine qualities and the very rare gifts that Heaven has scattered upon you, I have wished to dedicate to your most prudent and sacred valor these Mathematical DemonstrationsOriginal: "Demonstrations mathematiques". In the Renaissance, "mathematics" encompassed a broad range of practical arts, including engineering, ballistics, and mechanics., or MechanicalOriginal: "Mechaniques". ones, as we might call them. These, most humbly and with all the reverence possible for me, I present as a small vow consecrated to the golden Temple of your immortal virtues.

I hope, beyond the fact that they will bring your Majesty no small pleasure and contentment when, being somewhat distracted from your royal affairs, you take pleasure in reading them and sometimes having them put into practice, that they will also serve as a great convenience to all your valiant captains and soldiers. They will facilitate and bring into effect your marvelous enterprises whenever your Majesty, drawn by your courageous and invincible valor, presents yourself (as is your custom) armed for war. These works shall also serve me as a unique pledge and testimony of the most affectionate observance and devotion I bear to your most gracious and divine Name.

And although my eyes are not so blind that they do not see clearly enough that the smallness of my understanding cannot support the height of your sublime worth, nevertheless, I am emboldened by those signal favors which your royal kindness has always shown toward me: the singular affection you demonstrated to me at La RochelleA reference to the Siege of La Rochelle (1572–1573), where Ramelli served as a military engineer under the Duke of Anjou, the future Henry III., when in your service I remained a prisoner and was Original: "bleſſé à mort". Literally "mortally wounded," though used here to describe a near-fatal injury from which he recovered. wounded unto death in the hands of your enemies; the particular care and protection you first took in Paris of my son; and finally, the most kind letters you deigned to write back to me from PolandHenry III was briefly the elected King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1573–1575) before returning to claim the French throne., after that vast kingdom had heard the report of your terrifying... The text cuts off mid-word at "eſpouuenta-", likely continued as "eſpouuentable" (terrifying or awesome) on the following page.