< Page:Pliny's Natural History Book 1.djvu
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE FIRST BOOK OF THE NATURAL HISTORY BY C. PLINIUS SECUNDUS.
The Preface to Vespasian[1] his [friend] C. Plinius Secundus sendeth greeting.
These Books, containing the History of Nature, which a few days since I brought to Light (a new work among the Romans, your Citizens), I purpose by this Epistle of mine to present and consecrate unto you, most gentle Prince (for this Title[2] accordeth fittest unto you, seeing that the Name of [Most mighty][3] sorteth well with the Age of your Father:) which haply might seem boldness and presumption in me, but that I know how at other Times you were wont to have some good Opinion of my light Matters.[4] Where, by the Way, you must give me Leave to soften a little the Verses which
This article is issued from
Wikisource.
The text is licensed under Creative
Commons - Attribution - Sharealike.
Additional terms may apply for the media files.