Ten Books on Architecture

...and Your affection towards all scholars, most worthy of admiration. Although I can neither claim nor presume to profess my name among them, I nevertheless did not think that this testimony, such as it is, of my veneration and homage would be unpleasing to Your Majesty. VITRUVIUS, the author of this work, dedicated it to AUGUSTUS, the greatest Prince of the world; the discipline of Architecture itself is by no means unworthy of Princes, since it includes nearly all other arts and sciences, and serves especially those who, just as they govern kingdoms with salutary laws, likewise adorn them with magnificent edifices. Since these are the works of Peace—which Your Majesty has preserved for Your own people and brought forth for others—it seemed to me not ill-timed to commend to Your Majesty the Architecture of the Ancients, which is truly magnificent, as the monuments that remain bear witness, and to commend this Author, who in this genre of writing has shone forth above all others.

Furthermore, I humbly beseech God that He may preserve Your Majesty happy and august for as long as possible.

TO YOUR MAJESTY,

Leiden, 15 May 1649. Your most devoted client,
IOANNES DE LAET.