TO PAOLO GIORDANO II

ORSINI

DUKE OF BRACCIANO, etc.

CHRISTOPH SCHEINER

OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS

Small horizontal rectangular woodcut ornament featuring symmetrical scrolling foliage and floral patterns.

Large decorative historiated initial 'R' set within an architectural frame featuring classical columns and a vaulted ceiling.

We have received the ROSA Rose, which was held in delight by most of the ancients; and in no small price, especially among the Indians: those of them who were considered the wisest believed they could not gain the minds of Princes for themselves, or reconcile their affections, by anything as much as by the ROSE. And for that reason, they did not fail, when the nature of time and place allowed, to consecrate the oil pressed from it, and received into a RELIGIOUS vial, to the SUN, with legitimate words and set ceremony: thinking that once they had been anointed with that ointment, they would immediately be powerful over KINGS and PRINCES; and they would have the senses and hands of all in their power; and they would not suffer rejection, whatever help or favor they might have requested.

Moved by the example of these, MAGNANIMOUS DUKE, when I was seeking an approach to you, I judged that the ROSE was the work for me, by whose allure I might be recommended to a PRINCE: had it not been confirmed by great documents already, how closely YOU with YOUR ILLUSTRIOUS FAMILY held my entire ORDER. Therefore, changing my mind, I believed that I ought not to seek FAVOR here as if it were NEW,