quicumque Argolica de classe Capherea fugit, semper ab Euboicis vela retorquet aquis; et mea cumba semel vasta percussa procella illum, quo laesa est, horret adire locum. ergo cave, liber, et timida circumspice mente, ut satis a media sit tibi plebe legi. dum petit infirmis nimium sublimia pennis Icarus, aequoreis nomina fecit aquis. difficile est tamen hinc, remis utaris an aura, dicere: consilium resque locusque dabunt. si poteris vacuo tradi, si cuncta videbis mitia, si vires fregerit ira suas, siquis erit, qui te dubitantem et adire timentem tradat, et ante tamen pauca loquatur, adi. luce bona dominoque tuo felicior ipse pervenias illuc et mala nostra leves. namque ea vel nemo, vel qui mihi vulnera fecit solus Achilleo tollere more potest.
Every man of the Argive fleet who escaped the Capherean rocks always turns his sails away from the waters of Euboea; and even so my bark, once shattered by a mighty storm, dreads to approach that place where it was wrecked. Therefore be careful, my book, and look all around with timid heart, so as to find content in being read by ordinary folk. By seeking too lofty heights on weak wings Icarus gave a name to waters of the sea. Yet from this position of mine tis hard to say whether you should use the oars or the breeze. You will be advised by the time and the place. If you can be handed to him when he is at leisure, if you see everything kindly disposed, if his anger has lost its keenness, if there is anybody, while you are hesitating in fear to approach, who will hand you to him, introducing you with but a few brief words'then approach him. On a lucky day and with better fortune than your master may you arrive there and lighten my misfortunes. For either nobody can remove them or, in the fashion of Achilles, that man only who wounded me.
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