On the Bishops of Gubbio

That same spirit of Yours toward letters shone forth immediately from the beginning. For I have learned from certain sources that You earnestly inquired what honor letters held in this province, whether any public or private libraries were sufficiently stocked, whether the desired abundance of the best books would be available to You while living in this province, and many things of this kind, which sufficiently demonstrate that now, at such a height of dignity and among such great burdens of affairs, which it behooves You to sustain for the sake of the Christian republic, You burn with no less love of letters and study of learning than ever before. These are the things, MOST EMINENT AND MOST REVEREND PRINCE, which impelled me to publish this book in Your most ample name, which the nature of this time also seemed to require. For since the publication of this book, which various circumstances had long and greatly delayed, has fallen into this very time, in which, as the year is reborn, You begin the government of this province, it is fitting that a DEVOUT OFFERING should approach for the PROCLAMATION OF SOLEMN VOWS according to ancient custom. Therefore, while the HAPPY YEAR IS OPENED BY COMMON VOWS, and the entire province of Emilia, DEVOTED TO YOUR NAME AND MAJESTY, having duly prayed for a lucky and happy New Year for You, the best Prince, undertakes vows for Your most desired Arrival, for the happiness of Your three-year government, and for Your long safety, I too.