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...I believe nothing could be more appropriate. In this way, one satisfies both the friend, by honoring him, and the book, by placing a name famous for virtue at its beginning. Since these qualities are joined in you, I decided to offer this small gift to you both. You are close not only by the bond of marriage but also by the splendor of virtue, even if each in a different field. For you, most learned Eustachio, excel in Medicine, which stands first among the literary virtues and is as necessary to the human race as a second Sun. You excel so much that you perhaps have no superior in our time. Certainly, there is no one to whom you cannot be called an equal by the best right. Since the fame of this fact is already spread privately, I wished it to be testified by a public monument as well. You, most kind Cimatorio, are so refined in every political virtue worthy of a noble man, especially in courtesy, kindness, and singular sweetness of manners. With these, as if sprinkled with salt, you make all other virtues more pleasant and illustrious. No one is more delightful in companionship. Such friendship exists between me and you both, through your kindness, that I may seem to have achieved something simply by being a friend and most studious client to the husbands of two most elegant sisters, and that you do not disdain to be loved, cherished, and observed by me. To these things is added another common bond of friendship: the companionship of the most excellent man, Fabio Paolino, who is highly praised in all poetry and oratory. He is a teacher of Greek literature in this most serene home of Empire, the city of Venice. Since I uniquely respect him and am uniquely loved by him, and he is so closely joined to you, especially to Rudio, that nothing could be more connected than those two, it seems to glue our necessity even more tightly together. Accept therefore with common benevolence this common little gift, and love me as you do. Farewell. From Venice, March 1, 1592.

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TO THE BENEVOLENT READER.

A decorative initial letter 'Q' containing a woodcut illustration of a seated man, possibly a scholar or saint, dressed in academic robes and a cap, seated at a desk or bench.

THAT many men have had knowledge of future things and have foreseen them through the spirit even after the ages of the ancients (to whom God pleased to show many such things) is by no means to be believed impossible. Among all things that the followers of CHRIST value most highly, both for dignity and for investigation, the knowledge of the Roman Pontiffs is judged primary. Thus, I did not think it would be entirely displeasing to everyone if these predictions were brought to light, which illustrious men received from on high and contemplated with the greatest dignity. Pasqualino Regiselmo, a man of blessed memory, left not a few notes upon them. He showed that many of them did not differ at all from the truth. Indeed, as reason demanded, they matched the Pontiffs. Since they were written by the Author in both veils and perplexed speeches, they require no small sharpness of wit to become clear. Hence, Readers will take care to attend more closely, lest they reject them with infamy. They should not condemn them if they do not see what they signify, nor if students of letters with more perspective do not see them as fully explored. Even if it is not permitted to divine their meaning fully until this day, they can still hold a great deal of truth. Who can doubt that there are more things men will never know than those of which they have gained full knowledge? Writers of future things have purposefully used involved words, since it is not proper to bring such secrets into the open plainly. This prevents them from becoming cheap among ignorant men and prevents errors from starting there. Not only those who treat the highest things, but also those who dedicated themselves to the consideration of natural things, directed their purpose to this goal. However it may be, if these dedications perhaps cause nausea to someone's taste, let them...