I.

DEDICATION TO CORNELIUS NEPOS.

Now smooth'd to polish due with pumice dry Whereto this lively booklet new give I? To thee (Cornelius!); for wast ever fain To deem my trifles somewhat boon contain; E'en when thou single 'mongst Italians found 5 Daredst all periods in three Scripts expound Learned (by Jupiter!) elaborately. Then take thee whatso in this booklet be, Such as it is, whereto O Patron Maid To live down Ages lend thou lasting aid! 10

To whom inscribe my dainty tome--just out and with ashen pumice polished? Cornelius, to thee! for thou wert wont to deem my triflings of account, and at a time when thou alone of Italians didst dare unfold the ages' abstract in three chronicles--learned, by Jupiter!--and most laboriously writ. Wherefore take thou this booklet, such as 'tis, and O Virgin Patroness, may it outlive generations more than one.