In praise of Music and of this book by

¶ Those indomable hands that used to strike
great terror into the walls of Troy:
an old man Likely referring to Chiron the Centaur or Phoenix, tutors of Achilles tamed them with his singing,
when they struck the resonant strings.

¶ The oaks were moved from their foundations,
drawn by the sound of the sweet lament
that Orpheus The legendary Greek musician whose music could move inanimate objects was making, and they drew so near
that they covered him with their dark shadow.

¶ The playful Dolphin hears the Lyre
of the most noble Amphion In mythology, Amphion built the walls of Thebes with his lyre; the translator notes the author may be conflating him with Arion, who was saved by a dolphin, and submits himself
to enjoy his gentle music.

¶ So it is that there is nothing so abject,
nor so fierce, that it does not lose its ire,
to enjoy a thing so perfect.

¶ Therefore your understanding, if it is divine
as indeed it is, recognizes this greatness,
its noble origin, and its nature:
you will see very clearly that it came from heaven.

¶ Previously, its purity was mixed
with some venom of imperfection,
because our wit, through its great rudeness,
did not reach the supreme summit.

¶ Now you shall see it, if you are attentive,
so sweet, so whole, so savory,
so grave, so equal, so well-measured original: "en su cuento",

¶ So much in its perfection, that you will surely say
it is a divine gift given with an abundant hand,
and that the orchard is faithful in giving its fruit.

To the most illustrious lord, the lord Don