¶ The Greatest of Philosophers, Aristotle:

The Secret of Secrets: in another name, the Book of Morals regarding the Governance of Princes, to Alexander.

A large historiated initial 'D' features ornate foliage and floral patterns within the letterform.

To his most excellent Lord, and most strenuous in the cultivation of the Christian religion, Guidoni de Valentia, glorious pontiff: Philip, the least of his clerics, [offers] himself and the faithful service of his devotion.

As the moon is brighter than the other stars, and the ray of the sun is more shining in clarity than the moon, so the brightness of your genius and the depth of your knowledge exceeds all moderns on this side of the sea in literature, both barbarians and Latins. Nor is there anyone of a sound mind who can refute this opinion: for when the Giver of Graces, from whom all good things proceed, distributes his individual gifts, he seems to have bestowed the gifts of grace and knowledge upon you alone. For in you are found all the graces of the saints. The modesty of Noah, the faithfulness of Abraham, the prudence of Isaac, the patience of Jacob, the tolerance of Moses, the stability of Joshua, the devotion of Elijah, the perfection of Elisha, the kindness of David, the wisdom of Solomon, the patience of Job, the chastity of Daniel, the eloquence of Isaiah, the perseverance of Jeremiah, and the other virtues of the saints dwell most fully in your holiness. Furthermore, you are most learned in the liberal arts, most skilled in ecclesiastical and legal matters, and most doctored in divine and moral philosophy. Therefore, it was fitting that your clemency should possess the book of the present work, in which something useful is contained regarding almost all sciences.

¶ Prologue.
¶ Since, therefore, I was with you at Antioch, having found this most precious Pearl of philosophy, it pleased your domination that it should be translated from Arabic into Latin. Then, desiring to obey your command humbly, and to serve your will as I am bound, I [undertook] this book, which the Latins lacked, for the reason that...