To my most illustrious and venerable lord, the lord Christophorus Madrucius, Cardinal and Prince of Trient and adminstrator of Brescia, my most dear lord
It was an old farmers' custom, most illustrious Prince, to spend the first fruits to those Deities who would take care for them, as was supposed, in order to bear witness to the farmers' piety toward the Deities by such a deed. In imitation of that fashion, I have wished to dedicate these little fruits of my labours to you. For this, I have no other reason than to show obedience and loyalty of an attendant, who has long been dependent on you. Furthermore, I have reckoned it timely to offer to you something which, I thought, might please and attract you. Such is the music whose art and students you have always favoured and nourished, knowing that among other famous ornaments which pertain to the enlightenment of a Prince, the study of music must not be despised. As regards the days when it was highly esteemed in ancient Greece, particularly music of stringed instruments with changing strikes of melody, it is known that commandments regarding music were not less hallowed than those regarding nutrition or personal hygiene. Plato held music necessary for general welfare. Lycurgus, himself a very wise legislator, judged that military exercises cannot be appropiately conducted without musical melodies. For these reasons I hope that you will accept my merry play. Although it may be very light, under your protection it will nevertheless seem more sober and honourable and will achieve great influence from your fabulous reputation and will therefore perhaps be proved and endorsed, being adorned and protected by your name against the stings of critics. Furthermore it will be a proof of your education that these little things will be measured not by its matial shape but by its intellectual contents. For even to king Artaxerxes a bottle of dirty water, that a farmer had brought him in deep devotion, was most pleasurable and welcome. - Farewell! Gintzler 1547. Hope that will help, Gřran. -- Best wishes, Mathias Mathias Roesel, Grosze Annenstrasze 5, 28199 Bremen, Deutschland/ Germany, T/F +49 - 421 - 165 49 97, Fax +49 1805 060 334 480 67, E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
