TO THE MAJESTY OF THE KING

DON PHILIP III

KING OF THE SPAINS, &c.

A large ornamental woodcut initial 'C' featuring decorative foliage and scrolls.

WITH the desire that practical music original: "Musica pratica"; refers to the performance and composition of music as opposed to abstract theory. (so widely used in the Kingdoms and Provinces in which Your Majesty fortunately reigns) may be brought to a better state, so that it may be improved and ennobled; and so that the young people, who by pleasure or necessity desire to know it, may learn it with greater convenience and ease, I have arranged this present volume: embedding (as something new) Theory original: "Theorica" within Practice; and likewise interposing many and very profitable warnings to cast aside vices and embrace virtues; with many healthy admonitions, authorized by Holy Scripture: all in effect, and very much to the purpose of moralized Music. I am persuaded and compelled to this by a desire full of affection to employ myself in the service of Your Majesty, with the goal that among the many things of divine and human governance original: "policia diuina y humana" which in the time of Your Majesty, through your great providence, have been set right and improved, you will see fit that Music likewise be reformed and increased, particularly Ecclesiastical original: "Ecclesiaftica" Music: and that in this way, now more than ever, God Our Lord may be praised with Harmony on the earth of men, as He is in the heaven of the Angels. For well considered, the organs, the chants, and all other Music used in the Church of God since its beginning, are one of the things that have most sickened the stomachs of the pernicious Heretics of these our unhappy times. And so, to put one's shoulders to a thing so celebrated and so important among the faithful, so that it does not fall, but rather moves forward with growth, is to perform the office of a Catholic King, being the column of all that is good: and it is to achieve far better crowns than those given by the ancients to the patrons of Music, which they understood to be very pleasing to the divinity they then believed in and adored.

SINCE I desire, with that love which every father has for his children (for as Martial says: "A book that is to live must have genius" original Latin: "Victurus liber debet habere genium"), that this child of mine should endure and live for many years; having, I say, to go out into the variety of human judgment, I knew of no better genius to whom I could entrust it than Your Majesty, whose greatness of strength is such that no greater defense against envious tongues, nor more secure favor and protection among good men, could this Book carry than the name of Your Majesty written and sealed upon its forehead. And since it and its author have wished to avail themselves of such a Monarch (if it be permitted to say so), I would do an injustice to Your Majesty by denying your favor to one who, with the humility of a true servant, takes refuge under your protection: as the best and most secure that virtuous labors can have today in Europe. I consider that it has been excessive boldness on my part to wish to entrust to you this work, unworthy of such a strong and firm shield; but in the end, I also know that love has more weight and value for me than respect: trusting that the greatness of that soul will humble itself to receive it gratefully; and that the illustrious name of Your Majesty will be a perpetual protection for it throughout the world. Furthermore, I consider that by coming out in such a high name, it will have the authority that it lacks by being mine: and it will have the luster to appear everywhere. For just as a small thing submerged under water, or looking at it through long-range spectacles, appears larger than it is; so this work, seeing that it has been protected by Your Majesty, will appear much greater than it is by itself.

I BEG Your Majesty, then, to accept this Book with the grace deserved by the desire for the public good with which it has been made, and to Your Majesty it is commended: for although neither the style nor the argument be a work worthy of your greatness, yet the subject matter (because of the benefits that result from spiritual Music) deserves to be favored by Your Majesty. Whose Royal person may God, with continuous favors from heaven, preserve for many long years, for the good of Christendom and the sustenance of the Catholic Faith and Religion.