❦ Epistolary Prologue ❦

A large ornamental woodcut drop cap for the letter 'O', featuring a central flower in a vase surrounded by intricate scrolling foliage and floral motifs within a rectangular frame.

Of how great dignity, MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD, the profession of music has been among the ancients: to those who have read anything of it, it will not be hidden. We shall recognize the excellence and greatness of Music The author uses the term "Musica" here in the classical sense, encompassing science, mathematics, and ethics as well as sound. if we look at the effects caused by it, the gravity and sanctity of those who wrote about it, and the esteem in which the Holy Mother Church holds it. How many illnesses it has cured, how many evils it has prevented, and how many goods it has caused: it will be notorious to those who read my first book. Certainly, the effects that Ancient Music Refers to the Greek concept of "musica speculativa," believed to have miraculous powers over the soul and body. produced are so great that they would seem incredible, were there not others similar in the Holy Scripture. I am certain that if the musicians of these times knew the properties of the modes, and how far their virtue extends: we would see things as great caused by Music as we read in books that the ancients did, and even greater: because there are better intellects now. All the Greek philosophers learned this science. No one could be graduated as a philosopher if they did not first hear music. For which reason musicians were counted, as Quintilian Marcus Fabius Quintilianus, a Roman rhetorician who argued that music was essential for the education of an orator. says, among the illustrious men. What serves my purpose even more is to know that the holy doctors of the Church wrote on music. The blessed Augustine, Saint Gregory, Saint Ambrose, Saint Bernard, Saint Isidore, Saint Severinus Likely referring to Boethius (Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius), whose "De institutione musica" was the standard medieval textbook., and many others knew it, wrote of it, and practiced it. Since the primitive Church, music has been a custom within it. Just as the ancient heretics were not sufficient to destroy music, neither will the present undevout ones be. There are some (even among those who professed to say the Divine Office according to the order of the Roman Church) who, with a zeal of false devotion, wish to destroy chant. They presume to have a more correct devotion than the Church, since in this case they directly fight against her. The Church (as Augustine feels) holds music to inflame the hearts of the faithful: and some idiots, because they do not taste the devotion of music, say it is the perdition of the spirit and vanity of life. Since music is of such dignity in its effects, in its writers, and in the estimation of the Church, and yet so ill-treated by the ignorant: it is right (so that the wicked do not prevail against it) that the books treating it be directed to lords powerful in the value of their status, science, and person; so that such books, being polished by their knowledge and favored by their power, may be held by all in the esteem that is right, and our Lord be served thereby. Knowing that Your Lordship is so valiant in everything, and no less wise in every genre of music than powerful in lineage, state, and person: I agreed, after great study, to send to Your Lordship the general book of all music: so that, protected by such great warmth and favor, and polished with the knowledge that our Lord gave you, all Spain may be benefited. What service will be done to our immense God, what profit to the Christian republic, and what charity it is to favor a poor friar of Saint Francis so that he may move forward with other works he has nearly finished, and bring the present one out completely: Your Lordship (having seen the work)