TO THE MOST SERENE

L E O P O L D

ARCHDUKE OF AUSTRIA

On the Great Art of Consonance and Dissonance

BY FATHER ATHANASIUS KIRCHER

C A N Z O N E.

BY THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT LORD

P O M P E O C O L O N N A

PRINCE OF GALLICANO.

A large decorative woodcut initial 'S' featuring intricate floral and foliage patterns within a square border.

You, LORD, who among instruments of war,
To make the cares of your scepter less heavy,
Turn to listen to sweet voices,
And fill your heart with musical harmonies original: "concenti" — a term referring to voices or instruments playing in concord..

And showing yourself both strong and mild at once,
Your noble breast in such delights,
Causes your subjects to recognize in you
A joyful yoke A common Baroque poetic device suggesting that a just ruler's authority is a pleasant burden for his people., mixed with love and fear.

It is indeed right that if of musical art
ATHANASIUS now unfolds the breadth,
To your name, which the world prizes so much,
He should consecrate the pages of his deep knowledge.

It is not music alone, that which we hear,
But everything that is smelled and touched,
And everything that the mouth ever tastes,
Which we call flavor, and as much as we ever see.

One looks at a man, a building, a face,
And to some it brings delight, and to others displeasure.
Know, Lord, that it is a silent music,
That which charms one and has turned another to hatred;