Poema sacrum, in diem purificationis, augustissimae Dei genitricis Mariae

Decorative floral headpiece at the top of the page.

TO THE NOBLE, LIBERALLY EDUCATED, AND EXCEPTIONALLY GIFTED YOUNG MEN, JOHANNES, MARTINUS, PETRUS, NICOLAUS, FRANCISCUS, AND JOHANNES LUDOVICUS REIFF, sons of the most noble and illustrious man, CHRISTOPHORUS REIFF, Lord of Midde & Tornier, etc., and Senator of the most famous city of FRIBOURG among the Nuitons, etc.
Greetings.

Large decorative drop cap 'A' at the beginning of the text.

Accept, NOBLE YOUNG MEN, this poem, composed by me not long ago with all the diligence I could muster, in honor of the Divine Mother and most August Virgin MARY, and now dedicated to you for many and most just reasons. For, having clearly recognized that you, at such a tender age, apply yourselves with great effort to the most upright studies and excellent arts, I thought it wicked not to adorn such promising boys, or at least to admonish them so that they might never slacken in this. Added to this is the incredible and almost singular benevolence and humanity with which your most noble and illustrious parent, CHRISTOPHORUS REIFF—a most prudent Senator of this distinguished and praiseworthy Republic of FRIBOURG—not only embraces me, though I am undeserving, but has also so liberally nurtured me in his home for the second year now, that I do not see how I could possibly respond to the great benefits bestowed upon me. Therefore, although it is not within my power to compensate for the magnitude of his merits, I will strive with all my might to preserve the eternal memory of the expansive and beneficial goodwill with which such a great man treats me, his client, and to never miss an opportunity to serve you, young students of literature, to whom I have been given as an assistant. And certainly, with your piety, which you hold toward...