Goran, It is far too many years since my days of reading Latin to be able to translate that "short" forward without pulling out a dictionary. But on scanning through it, it seems more like a "dedication" than a "forward". (And I do think "Hunc igitur" might be "Nunc igitur" <g>). The style of the time was to make a flowery dedication to the patron, and if in Latin it showed even more respect (even if the patron couldn't read Latin it was a compliment that the artist assumed he could).
Chris Madricio was obviously rather important, and Ginzler wanted him to know how much of his work was due to Chris' inspiration. And the classical basis in Plato for the music, and the rights of the rulers. And his humble status as a rustic, and how he owed all his work to his patron. I don't know what the current name of Briximen is, but that should be easy to look up (I suspect Brussels). That is the best I can do in a two minute scan. Vale feliciter, otherwise known as, Best, Jon ----- Original Message ----- From: "G.R. Crona" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, November 03, 2003 3:23 AM Subject: Latin translation Dear List, I'm boldly hoping that any of the linguists in this well-informed assembly might take the trouble to translate this short foreword text for us: "Illustrissimo AC Reverendissimo Domino Domino Christophoro Madrucio Cardinale ac Principe Tridenti Et administratori Briximen. Domino meo Colendissimo. Vetus agricolarum consuetudo fuit, Princeps Illustrissime, ut omnium frugum primitias Dijs, quibus illas curæ esse existimarent, relligiose libarent, ut scilicet pietatem erga ipsos hoc pacto testarentur. Hunc igitur ego morem imitans, hos exiguos meorum laborum fætus tibi nuncupare volui: non alia mempe de causa. quam ut servi iam diu tibi addictissimi observantiam clientelaq3 ostenderem: tum etiam, quia tempestiuum arbitratus sum si id tibi offerrem. quo delectari te, atq3 capi animadverterim. Cuiusmodi estipsa Musica, Cuius artem, eiusq3 studiosos omnes fovisti semper ac alvisti, nimirum ratus inter cætera preclara ornamenta, que ad Principem Illustrandum pertinent, musices studium haud esse aspernandum. Quandoquidem & hec apud grecos olim tante venerationis cureq3 fuit, presertim ista que in modulata chordarum pulsatione constat. ut non minus de ea. quam de victu. cultuq3 corporis precepta sancirent. Hanc Plato Republice necessariam esse credidit. Lygurgus ille quodq3 sapientissimus legum conditor. rei bellicæ studium sine musicis modulis, haud recte constare arbitratus est. His itaq3 causis, hec mea ludicra læta te suscepturum frone spero. Que & si levissima sint, sub tuis tamen auspicijs prodeuntia graviora honestioraq3 videbuntur, magnamq3 ex tui nominis celebritate auctoritatem adipiscentur. ideo q3 & inspicientur forcitam & probabuntur. quia tuo nomine ornata munitaq3 adversus censorum calumnias erunt tuæ porro humanitatis erit, hoc quidquid est nugarum. non ex re. sed ex animo metiri nam & Artoxerxi, sordidæ aquæ uter. Summa animi devotione a rustico delatus, incundissimus. gratissimus q3 fuit. Vale fæliciter" It's from the Gintzler 1547. Best Regards Göran
