For Cathy, Mary, Anne, Nancy, Beth, Amy, Terrill, Ellen, Clare, Lucy, Rita, and Vivian
Sed certe ad hoc opus nimiam omnino fateor esse meam insufficientiam, propter nimiam materiam incomprehensibilitatem, propter nimiam scientiae meae tenuitatem, propter nimiam linguae meae indignitatem, et propter nimiam personae laudandae laudem et laudabilitatem.
Certainly I must confess my utter insufficiency to write this book -- because of the matter, difficult of comprehension; because of the thinness of my knowledge; because of the unworthiness of my style; and because of the profound praise due the person to be honored.
- Speculum Beatae Mariae Virginis, prologus