FB. To M. Bernard Palissy, his singular and perfect friend, Greeting.

If the malicious vulgar, friend Bernard,
Often speaks ill of what is praiseworthy,
Will you fear at all, given your own art,
To divulge to them this profitable book?
No, if you believe me: for it is agreeable to me,
Whatever envious people might wish to say poorly:
The ignorant, of the art so admirable,
Through your means will be able to profit therein.

In a small body often lies great power,
This you will understand, Reader, by reading this book,
Which is newly brought to light,
So as not to let the error of certain fools live:
For it demonstrates to the eye what must be followed,
Or rejected, in its admirable sayings:
By reciting many truthful propositions,
It tends toward this goal, that art imitating nature,
Can accomplish what many deem fables,
People without reason and of iniquitous censure.