Translation of address to the readers (facing page):

[Beneath portrait of Vredeman: Aetat. 77 = "At the age of 77."]

TO THE STUDIOUS VIEWERS

OF OPTICS.

    This is my visage. From youth’s earliest flower

    Revering art, I strove that not one hour

    Should idly pass. My eyes and mind took pride

    In sacred Optics. T hereunto allied

    Was fructifying labor] forty years

    I plied this art devoutly. Here appears

    A doctrine won by toil. T hat art is famed

    For trustiness which trusty rules have framed:

    And here most trusty methods shall explain

    This art, which guides the eyes and soothes the brain

    With images, but never cheats the sight

    With lying views. For your more true delight

    Exact engravings illustrate this book.

    Here I may gain renown ... Let Belgium look

    Toward her own name for learning, if she can.

    Should this work please, a larger one I plan,

    Fully adorned through many pages’ span.

J. V. D. V.