De tabe et phthisi pronunciata

Therefore, most refined men, I beg you not to despise these playful rudiments and beginnings of the exercise, and do not measure the gift by its slenderness, but rather by the pious and officious will of the one offering it.

Let only the mind of the giver be pure, often a great gratitude
Is accustomed to come for a small gift.
And he who gives the most he can is abundantly pleasing,
And such piety reaches its end.
Nor is the incense which the poor man offers to the gods from a small box
Worth less than that given in a large dish.
Fortune is unequal to the mind, and thus willingly
I harvest small riches for a gift.

Continue furthermore to protect, promote, and propagate the liberal studies in which you were nourished by your most distinguished parents, and by whose assistance a path is opened and lies clear for you to obtain the high summits of dignities among the most august peers of our fatherland, with your favor, help, and resources.

These will prevent you, stained by the medicine of happy dew,
From yielding to any harvesting fate,
And will lift your fame high above the heavens.