... Epitome troporum ac schematum et grammaticorum & rhetorum, ad authores tum prophanos tum sacros intelligendos non minus utilis quam necessaria

JOHANNES SUSEN-
BROT of Almagau, to his
students,
sends greetings.

A decorative drop cap 'B' begins the text.
It is the duty of a good teacher, O youth studious of letters, not only to pursue etymology and the simple syntax of words and other things of that kind when interpreting authors, but also to explain and demonstrate exactly and ἀκριβῶς precisely the devices of both Grammar and Rhetoric, which contribute not insignificantly to the proper understanding of both secular and sacred authors, so that you may more easily understand the mind of the author being read. For those who pass over, neglect, and despise these devices—I mean Tropes and Figures—which should have been pointed out especially during explanation, they do as the proverb says: they flee the house. They do the same as those who try to fight in the manner of the Andabatae gladiators who fought blindfolded, and thus try to teach someone to hit a target with closed eyes. I, indeed, to prevent this, have pointed out with my finger, as it were, during reading, these ornaments of speech to you and to the rest of my former students, according to my ability and the capacity of my talent, even if not everything that occurred always seemed to be the most elegant; so that the sense of that which was being read might be perceived by you more surely and without obscurity.

The precepts are noted.

Auxesis amplification. Homoeoteleuton similar endings.