PROEMIAL

TO THE EPISTLE

written to the most illustrious and
Excellent Lord of Mauvissière,
Knight of the Order of the King, and
Councilor of his private council, Captain
of fifty men-at-arms, Governor-general
of Saint-Dizier, and Ambassador of

A decorative woodcut drop cap 'H' in a square frame featuring a background of stylized foliage and flowers. Seated within the lower section of the 'H' is a stag or deer, looking back over its shoulder toward the left.

Now here before you, Lord, is presented: not a nectareous banquet of the High-Thundering One original: "Altitonante." A poetic epithet for Jupiter, king of the Roman gods., for a majesty. Not a First-Formed original: "Protoplastico." Likely referring to the meal of the first-formed man, Adam, which led to the Fall. one, for a human desolation. Not that of Ahasuerus A reference to the lavish, mysterious feasts of the Persian King Xerxes in the Book of Esther. for a mystery. Not of Lucullus A Roman general famous for his extreme culinary decadence. for a wealth. Not of Lycaon A mythological king who committed sacrilege by serving human flesh to Jupiter. for a sacrilege. Not of Thyestes A figure in Greek tragedy who unwittingly ate his own children. for a tragedy. Not of Tantalus for a punishment. Not of Plato for a philosophy Refers to Plato’s Symposium, a philosophical banquet discussing the nature of love.. Not of Diogenes for a misery Refers to the meager, minimalist meals of Diogenes the Cynic.. Not of the leeches, for a trifle. Not of an Archpriest of Pogliano, for a Bernesque piece original: "Bernesca." Referring to Francesco Berni, a poet known for his humorous and satirical "burlesque" style.. Not of a Bonifacio the Candlemaker original: "Bonifacio Candelaio." A self-reference to Bruno's own comedy play, Il Candelaio (The Candlemaker), published in 1582., for a comedy. But a banquet so great, so small; so magisterial, so instructional;