Fo. II.

a. ij

To the most illustrious and in every respect most learned, and above all to be revered, Lord François de Tournon, Bishop of the Church of Bourges original: "Bituricē.", Primate of Aquitaine, and Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Symphorien Champier original: "Symphorianus Campegius" of Lyon, Chief Physician Archiatros: a Greek-derived title for a high-ranking or royal physician to the Prince of Lorraine,

A square woodcut decorative initial 'C' depicting two nude putti (cherubic infants) grasping and climbing through stylized vines and foliage.WHEN I WAS silently, deeply, and for a long time reflecting within myself, most Reverend Prelate, that it is the mark not only of an immoderate man, but also of an envious and malevolent one to remain idle when he might benefit the human race—and to hide or conceal those things which he himself has attained by divine gift—I wished no longer to leave these works, which I have composed with great diligence, to struggle against moths and bookworms. I wrote these while I was with you, together with my nephew Jean Champier and with Jean Petit of Valensole, a doctor, both men most learned in the Apolline art The "Apolline art" refers to medicine, as Apollo was the god of healing.. At that time, you were suffering from a quartan fever quartana: a form of malaria where the fever recurs every fourth day, which was acting violently upon every part of your body...