Worthy reader,

Love is a passion in which the power of Reason does not always show its strength. If you are a singer, you are my rival. And if the modern pleases you the most, I on the contrary, declare myself for the ancient way. If, however, the extraordinary passion, which both of us entertain for the most beloved, the most beautiful music, sometimes clouds our power of judgment, we should then, at least during our lucid hours, both be equally generous: you, in that you forgive the errors that I write; I, in that I overlook the mistakes which you practice. If, to your credit, you are a scholar, know then, that to my shame, I am not. Should you not believe this, read on.