Dedicatory Letter, 1617-08-31, Joachim Morsius to Philip II, Duke of Pomerania-Stettin
| Author: | [Joachim Morsius] |
| Recipient: | Philip II, Duke of Pomerania-Stettin |
| Type: | Dedicatory Letter |
| Date: | 31 August 1617 |
| Pages: | 1 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=5917 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Paulus Merula, Oratio posthuma. De natura Reip. Batavicae, ed. Joachim Morsius, Leiden: Jacob Marcus 1618, sig. ):(2r–):(3v [BP.Morsius.1618-01]
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| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | Morsius marvels at finding the essence of humanity and virtue within Philip's court, likening it to an academy of piety, virtue, and learning rather than merely a royal court. He praises Philip's humane qualities, comparing him to the sun, the world's eye, for his unparalleled benevolence in any era. Morsius recounts a memorable day when he was allowed to engage with Philip's profound insights and explore his extensive library, rich with rare books and ancient coins. Grateful for Philip's generosity, including a precious gift of a golden coin, Morsius wishes he could show his deep gratitude and loyalty. He promises to send a work with historical coins of the Orders of Holland and prays for God to extend Philip's life for the benefit of many. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[sig. ):(2r] Illustrissimo ac potentissimo Principi & Domino D[omi]no Philippo II. Duci Stetinensium, Pomeranoum, Cassubiorum atq[ue] Vandalorum, Principi Rugiæ & comiti in Gutzkow, terrarum Leoburgensium ac Butoviensium Domino, Domino meo clementissimo, Ioachimvs Morsivs Salutem & cultum perennem N.
Illustrissime Princeps, Musarum Parens, Humanitatem, quam cum matre virtute iamdudum terras reliquisse, nescio quo errore semper credidi, mensibus aliquot retro in augustissima tua aula sedes suas posuisse deprehendi. Aula,[c1] non aula; sed Academia pietatis, virtutis, & doctrinæ. Parco verecundæ & divinæ tuæ fronti, quæ elegiis tuis iustissimis intercedit. Quid [sig. ):(2v] te humanius sol mundi oculus vllo vnquam seculo, vllis in terris vllo tempore vidit? Sacra mihi erit religiosa recordatione perpetuo dies ille, quo aurei tui pectoris sermones bracteatos, æternæ Mnemosynis Ædi consecrandos, primitus haurire, Bibliothecamque tuam rarissimis libris & Nummis omnium gentium vetustissimis[c2] instructissimam, perlustrare licuit. Non satis tibi fuit me profanum tuum cultorem, in sacrum tuum secessum introducere; ne & insuper indonatus discederem, cum amplissima promotionis spe effigie tua ac coniugis tuæ laudatissimæ, nummoque aliquo aureo elegantissimo ornare me voluisti: Quem nunquam aspiciam, quin tuæ beneficentiæ etiam mihi in mentem [sig. ):(3r] venerit. Vtinam vero Princeps Celsissime, per fenestream aliquam, qualem olim desiderabat Momus, addictissimum meum Celsit[udinis] tuæ animum, & intimam gratitudinem introspicere valeres, candido & religioso tuo cultori ex alto isto dignitatis tuæ culmine, repperires eximia illa beneficia tua exhibita fuisse, qui cervicem suam pro incolumi principali tua dignitate hostibus ostentare, & hunc sanguinem profundere, minime dubitat. Testem hanc Merulæ posthumam orationem cedro longe dignissimam, observantiæ & fideo meæ cape, meque quo auspicatus es favore, porro dignare. Subsequentur eam brevi cum Nummis historialibus Ordinum Hollandiæ, opera paulo maiora. Devs [sig. ):(3v] Opt[imus] Maximus Celsitvdinem tuam Ecclesiæ, Reip[ublicae] scholarum subditorumque bono, meorumque studiorum præsidio & ornamento, diu mortalibus interesse patiatur, annosque quamplurimos de meis addat. Festinabam propere RostochI; anno æræ Christianæ MDCXVII, exeunte Augusto.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 28 January 2024. Attention: This translation is a machine translation by artificial intelligence. The translation has not been checked and should not be cited without additional human verification.
To the Most Illustrious and Powerful Prince and Lord, Lord Philip II, Duke of Stettin, Pomerania, the Kashubians, and the Vandals, Prince of Rugia and Count of Gutzkow, Lord of the Lands of Leoburg and Butow, my most gracious Lord, Joachim Morsius sends greetings and everlasting respect.
Most Illustrious Prince, Patron of the Muses: Humanity, which I had always believed, due to some error, had long since left the earth along with its mother virtue, I discovered a few months ago has set its seat in your most august court. A court, not merely a court, but an Academy of piety, virtue, and learning. I spare your modest and divine brow, which intercedes with your most just elegies. What could be more humane than you, the sun, the eye of the world, in any age, on any land, at any time? That day will forever be sacred to me in religious remembrance, when I was first allowed to draw from the golden words of your heart, to be consecrated in the temple of eternal Mnemosyne, and to survey your library, most richly furnished with the rarest books and coins of the oldest nations. It was not enough for you to introduce me, your profane worshipper, into your sacred retreat; you also wished to adorn me with the image of yourself and your most praised wife, and with some most elegant golden coin, so that I might not leave unrewarded, with the greatest hope of promotion: a coin I shall never look upon without being reminded of your kindness to me. Oh, if only, Most High Prince, through some window, such as once Momus desired, you could look into the most devoted heart of mine to your Highness, and my innermost gratitude, you would find, from that high peak of your dignity, those exceptional benefits you have shown, to one who does not hesitate to expose his neck to enemies for the safety of your princely dignity, and to shed this blood. Accept this posthumous oration of Merula, most worthy of cedar, as a token of my observance and faith, and deign to continue the favor with which you have begun. Soon to follow will be a work with the historical coins of the Orders of Holland, a somewhat larger endeavor. May the Best and Greatest God allow your Highness to be with mortals for the good of the Church, the Republic, the schools, and your subjects, and as a support and ornament to my studies, for a long time, and add many years to mine. In haste at Rostock; in the year of the Christian era 1617, at the end of August.
