Giving of Thanks.

To the Vice-Chancellor, who bestowed, entrusted, and yielded this duty to me—even though I had never imagined such a thing even in a dream original Greek: οὐδὲ κατ’ ὄναρ; a common idiom for something entirely unexpected., neither in a state of rest nor in sleep, as I can swear with all ambition set aside—out of his favor and benevolence toward me above others. His favor toward me is so great, and his kindness so profound, that I cannot sufficiently praise it with words or recommendation as it deserves; his love for me is too vast to be constrained within the narrowness of these words. I shall never be able, nor do I ever wish, to forget all these things without the greatest wickedness.

Furthermore, to YOU also, the Honorable, most Renowned and most Learned Master HERMANN LINDANUS, most worthy Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and of the Gate of Heaven The "Porta Coeli" (Himmelspforte) was a specific college founded in the 14th century within the University of Erfurt., most praised Professor of Eloquence, and respected friend and patron: I pay my deserved thanks with a mindful heart and due honor. For it was you who granted me the opportunity to speak from this Chair; it was you who, by your most eloquent speech and most friendly request, enticed, invited, and encouraged me to complete this assigned task.

Finally, to the Honorable Deans of the Superior Faculties, the Reverend, most Renowned, and most Excellent Doctors and Licentiates; to the most Distinguished, Refined, and Learned Professors, Masters, Bachelors, and Students: to all of you who have gathered and met here in such great numbers—not only for the sake of the Licentiates’ honor but also for my own, for so I interpret it—and to all who have listened with kindness and the greatest humanity to me as I was stammering rather than speaking; to YOU, I say, I return the Cock of Socrates, which he offered to Aesculapius, as if to a more noble original Greek: ευγενέστερος. Lipsius uses the "Cock of Socrates"—the philosopher's famous last request to pay a debt to the god of medicine—as a metaphor for discharging his own debt of gratitude to the faculty. Aesculapius. That is, I offer YOU my gratitude and all my services; I promise them to YOU:

THE END.