English: Dedication to the Marquess of Gastanaga by Sebastian Fernandez de Medrano: "To the Most Excellent Lord Marquis of Gastanaga [D. Francisco de Agurto Salcedo Medrano Zuniga], Knight of the Military Order of Alcantara, Governor and Captain General of the Low Countries. Most Excellent Lord, It is quite an adventure, Most Excellent Lord, for one to change while in a good position, something that many have experienced (even entire republics). Once, I chose Your Excellency as my patron and protector of this academy, and I have often celebrated my good choice in finding and still finding you so accommodating that I will never dare to risk such high favor.

My humble works testify to it, as after the practical artilleryman and geography, this third one seeks the same sacredness as the others, confident that I will find in Your Excellency's benevolence the welcome that Flavius Josephus' writings received from Emperor Titus, and not the disdain shown by Antigonus, King of Macedonia, to a philosopher for dedicating a book of justice to him (at a time when he was deposing kings and sovereigns). Even though Your Excellency emulates the generous deeds of this prince in everything else, in this matter, as the aforementioned Emperor did, you surpass him, for when this volume deals with justice, it would find no greater support anywhere else than in Your Excellency, always striving for its preservation. And since human malice does not allow for its preservation without the power of arms, and the force of arms obliges (those who wish to live securely while preserving it) to close and fortify their defenses, there would be no reason, Most Excellent Lord, for this treatise on Modern Fortification to seek any other shade than that of Your Excellency, who, being so well-versed in its theory and experienced in its practice, can accurately judge the errors it may contain (which, being my work, it might have). So that, corrected by your great talent, it may travel to the farthest corners without the fear of falling into the hands of a fearful censor, a privilege that my previous books have obtained and still obtain, bearing the superscription of Your Excellency, who, if not constrained, offends your modesty by hearing recitations of the heroic deeds you have performed in the worthy positions you have held. Here, my pen would have plenty of space to expand upon the glories that Your Excellency has achieved, from the position of Captain of Spanish Infantry to that of most deserving Governor of these states, which you possess today with such general applause.

Likewise, it would sing praises and accolades to the ancient and noble lineage of Your Excellency's ancestors, although many more classical and authoritative chroniclers than I have already done so. I have no other authority but that which I derive from being Your Excellency's devoted servant. May our Lord protect Your Excellency's most excellent person for many years, which I desire, need, and the monarchy requires. Brussels, 1st of March 1687." – Don Sebastian Fernandez de Medrano