THE present work was composed by a knight, in imitation of that of Cœsar. This knight left his country to acquire glory and renown in foreign lands, that his name might be had in perpetual memory. In this work will be found many things very healthful for the soul, and for the honour and safety of the body. You will find in it matter of great moment and notoriety. You will read letters from our Emperor himself, who now reigns, to the author, and also the author's dispatches to his sacred and Catholic Majesty, and to other persons, for the author held the office of gentleman in the royal palace. It is a very instructive and edifying work for all sorts and conditions of persons, treating of a great variety of subjects, both entertaining and important, and the author not only relates what happened to himself, but also what he saw and heard. Know then, O most inquisitive reader that, if you are curious to learn the transactions of the governments of this world, I am able to say, with truth, as regards this my writing, that I saw what I wrote, and I wrote what I saw.