With pumice dry just polish'd fine,
To whom present this book of mine;
This little volume smart, and new?——
Cornelius, I will give it you:
For then you oft were wont to say
Some trifling merit had my lay;
When, chief of Italy's learn'd train,
You dar'd in three small tracts explain,
Gods! how laborious and how sage,
The history of ev'ry age.
Whatever then its value be,
Accept this little book from me;
And, o protecting Virgin, deign
It may for centuries remain!