Ioannis Boccatii de Certaldo insigne opus De claris mulieribus

seems plausible to many), but not to attend to the soul, and how much it matters to have well known that even the dangers of others pertain to oneself. He who does not think of this is to be compared clearly to the intemperate, to whom, as food does not profit them, so in that way no utility of reading should return to them. From these it is now clear with what end, or with what purpose, the deeds of past generations are to be read: namely, that all of life may be cultivated, that the mind may be informed by the knowledge of things, as honestly as possible, so that in speech and every action, moderation, the pillar of virtues, may be observed; in manners, sweetness, which is the glue of human conversation, may shine forth; and in bearing the labors of studies, the tolerance of the soul, the solace of the mind, may be proposed and undertaken. That is why men are captivated by science, which happens from the number of perfection and the kind of goods, or are delighted by the sweetness of pleasures which the objects of the senses provide. Furthermore, regarding what remains, most illustrious man, it concerns your humanity, to which I see how much I owe, but I do not have the means to repay it. But why these things? Who does not love you? Since you are not recognized as happy only from that, but much more as most worthy of all love, especially since there is such and such incredible integrity of your manners, which easily exceeds all praise. Then who would not admire that heroic carriage of your whole body? To which indeed a certain silent majesty is attributed. Why should I mention the successes of fortune, by which you shine everywhere? Or the easy splendor of a most honest life? Than which nothing is more plausible, nothing more gracious. Why the circumspection of the spirit? By which, whatever you conceive in your mind, whatever you propose to be undertaken in reality, you never fall short of the desired end, but rather you perform what you wish most happily. Meanwhile, I am silent about other virtues, likewise also about your insignia and those of yours, and the images by which they were formerly most nobly famous, and today your humanity is no less famous, than which I have never perceived anything greater (I speak that which is the case). But let us cease to preface, and pray for you suppliantly, that you may deign to consider as fair and good, and to accept whatever amount of labor we have spent in restoring and purifying this work of Boccaccio, with the same spirit with which we dedicate and name it to your most respected greatness: that is, with a benevolent and grateful one. And that indeed with a brow so much the more open, the more you, with greater promptness of mind, admire and promote both honest studies and good arts, in which you yourself are not vulgarly educated. May the Lord grant that he may happily perfect that which has begun quite splendidly in you. Farewell, and love in return him who loves you.
Given at Bern from our school, July 22,
In the year 39.