A LETTER

This page is reconstructed from "ghost" text—ink that bled through from the opposite side of the paper and appears in reverse. The translation reflects the intended meaning of these difficult-to-read fragments.

To the Venerable and Most Prudent Men, my Lords? in this? affair?,
as the? most loving? leaders? and? governors? of your? Commonwealth? Commonwealth original: "Reipubl." (Republic). In a 17th-century academic context, this often refers to the "Republic of Letters" or the university's self-governing body.
so that? in? those? matters? which? pertain? to? the state?, according to? your? wisdom?
it may be? known? to you? yourselves? that I am? most devoted? in my? duties?, whatever? I might do?
I might be able? to testify? to my? zeal?, which? to? this? light? to lead forth?
I have? endeavored?. For? it is sought? by the prayers? of all? good men? that? peace? and? tranquility?
may happily? stand firm? and? endure? forever? for you?, venerable? men?, to whom? the care?
of this? commonwealth? has been? entrusted?. Wherefore? I?, although? far? inferior?,
have undertaken? the subject? of so? great? a work? so that? in some way?, according to? my? strength?,
I may make? plain? with how much? veneration? I honor? you?.

But so that I may give? you? an account? of this? edition?, it must be known? that I?, in?
this? labor?, have sought? not so much? a display? of my own? talent? as? the investigation?
of truth?. For indeed?, who? is there? who? does not? see?, in? these? narrow times?
and? disturbances?, how greatly? there is? need? for sound? doctrine? and? upright?
counsel?. For many? writings? are scattered? among the? common people? which? seem? designed?
rather? for? stirring up? troubles? than? for? fostering? peace?.
I?, truly?, have held? nothing? more important? than? that? all things? might be? directed?
toward the? public? good?, and? that? the authority? of magistrates? be kept?
safe and sound? original: "sarta tectaque," a Roman legal idiom literally meaning "patched and roofed," used to describe property kept in excellent repair or an agreement kept intact. in their? venerated? places?. Therefore?, I ask? you? again? and again?
that? you receive? this? my? little work? with a serene? countenance?, and? that you judge?
me? worthy? of your? patronage?. For so? it will come to pass? that? I?, hereafter?, with a more eager? spirit?,
shall proceed? to? greater things? and? revere? your? name? in everlasting? remembrance?.

Farewell.

June 18th, original: "XIV. KAL. JUL." or the 14th day before the Kalends of July.
1672. original: "CIƆ IƆ C LXXII." using an older form of Roman numerals where CIƆ represents 1000 and IƆ represents 500.