Tractatus de imposturis et ceremoniis Iudaeorum nostri temporis

number of leeches placed over the wretched citizens by those very men who are honored as fathers of the country by their hangers-on at the table and kitchen, which the subjects bleed until they are devoid of blood. Hence, the impure flock of Jews, having redeemed their immunity from crimes with present money, abuses it most cruelly and inhumanely: hence, finally, the total ἀταξία disorder/anarchy of all things, orders, and states, which (unless God kindly averts it) will eventually cast us headlong into that ancient chaos.

Since these things are so, most ornate Pascharius, a book about Jewish Ceremonies and Impostures has conveniently presented itself, falsely attributed to Marco Lombardo, published in German by a man who was not unlearned and who was most deserving of the Christian commonwealth, which I did not reluctantly undertake to render into Latin at the advice of friends. Indeed, it seemed not unworthy to you, who had already eagerly read it in German, for this reason above all: that you thought it would be of benefit to foreigners and those ignorant of the Teutonic language, against whom the Jews nevertheless exercise their rabies: from which the Christian reader can recognize not only the frauds of the Jews, but also all the arts and deceits of that ilk.

I send this out, completed with as much diligence as possible, under your name, and I dedicate and consecrate it to you, though your benevolence and exceptional love for me required something more magnificent. But whatever it may be, let it be a μνημόσυνον memorial of my gratitude and respect toward you. For I have long desired that some opportunity be offered to me by which I might testify to and reveal my spirit and goodwill toward you. You, however, in accordance with the innate candor of your character, will receive this little gift, woven and arranged with coarse thread, from your Huser with a cheerful and serene countenance. I confess it is small indeed, which, however, if you measure it by the heart of the giver, you will find to be very great. And if I learn that my work, no less than my intention, has pleased you, I shall consider that spurs have been added to me for higher things. Farewell. Basel, February 2nd, 1575.

Elenchus