Apo kōpēs eis to bēma

Lord BAPTISTA, Knight of the Golden Fleece, Governor of Vulturena, and supreme Praetor of Prägäll in Ancient Rhaetia; and Lord JOHANN, son of Friedrich, former Commissioner of the County of Chiavenna, both of the SALICI family, and most esteemed patrons and lords.
Warmest greetings.

Decorative initial letter C featuring floral and foliate scrollwork.

As I was considering to whom I might primarily dedicate these Theses of mine, which I have submitted for public disputation for the purpose of paying my respects to the most distinguished Asclepiadean referring to the medical profession Order, you, O VIGOROUS MEN AND GREAT HEROES, were the first to occur to me. For I would dare to affirm that you rightfully hold the first rank among those who have promoted my studies and wish to promote them more and more. Indeed, I am not unaware of how much you, Lord Knight BAPTISTA, most prudent Praetor and esteemed patron, both by counsel and by aid, helped and encouraged my father, who is to be honored, and me, your Secretary, in the very first years of my childhood, so that he might consecrate me to studies. I do not ignore how you have shown and continue to show this same benevolence toward me every single day, having put aside my unconsidered and childish imprudence. By what reasons you, then, Magnanimous Lord JOHANN, most just Commissioner, have demonstrated that my undertaking is pleasing and acceptable, I cannot recount one by one. For your supreme modesty, your prudence, your singular justice in administering affairs and governing the Republic, your erudition, and your knowledge of things drawn from literature...