Averroes' Paraphrase of Plato's Republic

This was signified to be owed to you not only by the opinion of men, which you had acquired for yourself through your highest virtues, but by a certain divine reason. For he who first brought the surname of the Farnese into your family seems to have predicted (in my opinion, inspired by some divinity) that it would one day come to pass that the reason for this name, wrapped in the eternal series of time, would be made immortal through some distinguished degree of dignity. For "Pharnes" in the language of the Etruscans—which in my judgment is Assyrian, and as a native language accepted by the Hebrews—signifies "shepherd" and "governor." Thus, the god "Pharnes" of Israel is called by that name among them. Solomon also, in his most profound poem, introduces the people speaking in this manner:

My friend is to me, and I to him, Pharnes among the lilies, that is, shepherd:

so that it is now understood that he alluded not obscurely to your family emblems. This name exists as if it were a certain divine oracle left from the most ancient origin of the Etruscans to your Blessed family, by which the supreme command over the worshippers of Christ was promised to you. Therefore, since you have been established, O Blessed Father, with the favor of God and men, in the guardianship of the entire Christian flock, I have long considered with myself what I might bring to you during the public rejoicing that would declare the most devoted and marvelous desire of my mind toward Your Holiness.