Universal Music-making (Musurgia Universalis), Volume I

What does she [Nature] not strive for? POLITICALLY, finally, in tempering Empires and in directing peoples toward the goals of happiness, she employs this [harmony] alone as a mistress and directress. No wonder: for this alone is the discipline of order, the rule original: "amusis" — a carpenter’s line or rule, implying a standard of perfection. of things, the basis of human actions, and the support of worldly preservation. YOU, MOST SERENE PRINCE, represent these three things The three things are God, Nature, and Politics, discussed on the previous page. through your distinguished deeds and virtues; while we contemplate the justice of mercy, the piety of fortitude, and the modesty of magnanimity all agreeing within your breast. For indeed, you are entirely harmonious, and an admirable Harmonizer Harmostes original: "Harmosta." Kircher uses this Greek-derived term to describe a ruler as a "tuner" who brings the different elements of a state into a harmonious whole.. You seize the hearts not only of your subjects, but also of your enemies in such a way that those who often discord in customs and religion nevertheless accord with you in affection and will. For you Princes share in that divine power which joins things together original: "ἁρμόζουσαν" (harmoizousan) — a Greek participle meaning 'fitting' or 'joining'. and effects the universal harmony original: "concentus.". Just as God through that power accords celestial and earthly things simultaneously, in no different a way do you couple Peoples with Kings and kingdoms with kingdoms in an admirable league, being in a way rivals and vicars of divinity.

And if the Socratic Sirens A reference to the Myth of Er in Plato’s Republic, where Sirens sit upon the eight celestial spheres, each singing a single note to create the "music of the spheres." used to sing praises to the supreme Architect with the sound of the celestial orbs, it would be fitting that the mouths of the entire human race be opened also in praise of good Princes. But, as that man used to say, there is a type of most exquisite Music: to sing within. That which excellent Harmonizers use by skill, we use by necessity; while we are unequal to describing the most singular merits of YOUR Serenity, we celebrate them with a devoted silence.

But I, who like an Egyptian Memnon Kircher refers to the "Colossi of Memnon" in Thebes, which were said to produce a musical sound at dawn when struck by the first rays of the sun., have been stirred to song more than once by the rays of YOUR munificent Serenity, would be harder than the stony Memnon himself if I did not somehow resonate with the perpetual faith of a grateful soul toward YOUR truly royal beneficence. Farewell, ornament of the Imperial House, Pillar of Germany, delight of the Low Countries original: "Belgij" — referring to the Archduke's role as Governor of the Spanish Netherlands., Exemplar of Princes, and the unique model of the Great Art of the Consonant and Dissonant.

Rome, 8 December 1649.