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      Most Illustrious and Serene Prince and My Lord, I, your devoted and affectionate
servant Ludovico Ariosto, a Nobleman of Ferrara and a courtier of the most Reverend
Lord Cardinal d’Este, petition Your Sublimity: that, having composed, after my long
vigils and efforts, and for the pleasure and recreation of lords and men of gentle spirit,
and women, a work which describes pleasurable and delectable things about war and
love, and having desired to make it public for the solace and pleasure of whoever shall
wish and take pleasure in reading it. And also because of other benefits, and for the
remuneration of my efforts, which lasted longer than I could afford, I decided to print it
in whichever place I shall judge to be more convenient. But having misgivings about
the possibility of competition if someone other than myself were to print it, I shall clarify
instantly that once this work of mine has been published and printed, it may not be
reprinted or republished in another [edition], so that no one can snatch the benefit and
profit of my efforts, which ought to come to me. And therefore I plead and appeal to
Your Sublimity to deign to grant me by your decree and privilege and favour, that for
the duration of my life no one whosoever in the lands and places under the jurisdiction
of Your Sublimity, whether that person be a native citizen or a foreigner, and irrespective
of the station which he may occupy, is to be allowed to dare or venture to print or to put
to print my work, by using any other font, neither in a grand folio size, nor in the smallest
one,\nor to sell or make sell/ without an explicit license and concession from me, Ludovico
Ariosto, the Author of the aforementioned work, on pain of loss of such works, and,
moreover, if they are found to have been printed \or sold/, a fine of one thousand ducats
for each person who dares to print it or cause it to be printed, \or to sell it or cause it to be
sold/ and half of the aforesaid penalty will be paid to whoever it pleases Your Sublimity
to nominate, and the other half, in addition to the printed or sold books, to myself,
Ludovico Ariosto the aforesaid servant of Your Grace.

1515, 25th day of October

                                                            Councillors
                                                Signore Marcus de Molino
                                                Signore Petrus Marcello
                                                Signore Hieroniymus Teupulo
                                                Signore Franciscus Bragadino






Translation by: Joanna Kostylo