and reverence, I durſt not apply my ſelf with empty hands to your greatness. Now being thoughtfull, and looking about in my ſtudy to ſee what preſent I ſhould beſtow upon ſuch an Illuſtrious Prince, behold! amongſt ſuch things are were cloſely laid up, the books Of Occult Philosophy, or of Magick, preſently offered themſelves, ſuch as I attempted to write whileſt I was very yong, and now many yeers being paſt, as it were forgetting them, have neglected to perfect them; I preſently made haſt as it were to pay my vows, to preſent them to your honor to compleat them. Truly I was perſwaded that I could give nothing more acceptable to you, then a new work of moſt ancient and abſtruſe learning; I ſay a work of my curious youth, but a doctrine of antiquity, by none I dare ſay hitherto attempted to be reſtored. Yet my works are not wrote to you, becauſe they are worthy of you, but that they might make a way open for me to gain your favor. I beſeech you, if it may be, let them be excuſed by you. I ſhall be devotedly yours, if theſe ſtudies of my youth ſhall by the authori-
