Text.Crollius.1609-01.!3r/Translation

Paulus Melissus from Franconia, Count Palatine and Knight of the Golden Spur, a Roman Citizen, Alcaic Ode to Oswald Crollius, Most Excellent Physician.

Throughout the year, you traverse France and Italy, Crollius, eager to learn noble arts, and at the same time, to express foreign words with a more eloquent tongue, to be skilled in the practices celebrated by the sons of Machaon, not in the manner of the common folk, or superficially with wit or water, or with the dye of some fabricated bark: but to know thoroughly the ancient writings of the Greeks and Romans, and to produce something outstanding beyond your own effort. Nature knows not to conceal a more vigorous impulse, nor does wisdom keep hidden the brighter sparks within the heart. We know in which flames you toil, drawing out healing waters for the limbs, creating balsamic scents, and whatever benefits the sickly parts. I know that a single drop of your distillation aids more than the entire potions of other healers combined. Indeed, at least one small pill accomplishes more than seven or nine larger ones, being less useful to the stomach and not as beneficial.

Am I mistaken, or will you match the famous Galen, Hippocrates, Menecrates, and the divine Asclepius, honored by the splendid court of the Emperor, as well as all those who know how to remove diseases with ready remedies and provide desired health through the healing art of Paean? Having experienced rare inventions and medicines by the light of Vulcan, divine Crollius, compile all your findings into one concise volume, so that those who burn with love for such studies may enjoy them. For your merits, they will pray that you remain safe for endless years, adding many benefits to your discoveries, by which you may extend the days of our lives and bring back the life of friends to a Nestorian age.