An ornate woodcut headpiece features floral scrolls, a central grotesque mask, and two mythical figures on either side facing outwards.

TO THE NOBLE AND GENEROUS

LORD OTHO TRUCHSES OF

WALDBURG, CANON OF THE

An ornate decorative initial 'C' contains a grotesque face surrounded by foliate scrolls.
Since, most noble Otho, I conceived a certain extraordinary hope of your excellent virtue from the kindness with which I was received by you when I first came into your sight, I have long begun to consider in what manner I might recommend myself to you, just as it was worthy and as you deserved. For although it is very profitable everywhere to earn the favor and grace of those men who, because they excel in lineage and other wealth, can advance the studies and efforts of others, at this time it is especially fitting for all of us to look around to prepare patrons and defenders everywhere, now that these studies of ours are held in contempt and ruined. For those famous letters humanistic studies, praised by the ancients as the only mark of humanitas humanity/culture, have fallen back so far into their place (whether this must be said to have been done by some anger of the gods or rather by our own fault) that if they ever had need of the help of great and powerful men, they seem at this most iniquitous time to implore their aid most of all. And such is your learning and virtue that I, not undeservedly, promise myself from your excellence all those things that ought to be expected from any supreme and best man. You are one who, first of all, was born of such a lineage and is distinguished by such images that you do not easily yield in nobility to any of your superiors or even to men of old. Furthermore...