De alchimia opuscula complura veterum philosophorum, quorum catalogum sequens pagella indicabit

...that this our work will not be disapproved by any student of the more secret Philosophy. Although an impartial reader can usefully read them not for the purpose of learning the Latin language, but rather for the love of the things contained within them, and to that extent we wished to recommend this book to him. Under the auspices of your name, most illustrious Prince, we have brought forth this work, whatever it may be, into the light, because you are a most studious man of these things, and a most skillful investigator of the secrets of nature. We read that ancient princes, who likewise cared for the studies of Philosophy, applied themselves to these things with more diligence than to hunting or drinking. Therefore, I ask that you receive them with a serene countenance, by which both your Philosophical study will be aided, and you will see that we have not been unmindful of your benefits.