TO THE MOST DISTINGUISHED AND LEARNED

Jurist, Lord Viglius Zuichemus, Imperial Senator at Mechelen,

Sigismund Gelenius sends greetings.

If the author of this commentary himself had hastened the publication, most learned friend of Viglius, whatever title he might have deemed it worthy of, it would surely have gained no small ornament from that. For Caspar Contarini was (as constant fame holds), if ever there was one of the Venetian name, most adorned in lineage, wealth, prudence, and finally literature; he was both born for the highest dignities and advanced especially by his own virtues. And he had stirred up great hope for himself among all who desire that the tranquility of the Christian Republic be cared for; and he seemed likely to satisfy it, had it been permitted—not by the malignity of the fates, as they say, but by certain men who approve of nothing except what they themselves do, even though they never do anything good. But after this