From the Music of Cerone, Book I.

He has won every vote who has mixed the useful with the pleasant,
by delighting the reader and advising him at the same time.
original: "Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit vtile dulci, Lectorem delectando, pariterque monendo." A famous quote from Horace's Ars Poetica.

The reason why many digressions, histories, fables, and maxims are inserted into the present work.

This is the art, this is the trick, and this is the sugar with which many purges are made drinkable for sick readers. Likewise, in the course of the work, there are many warnings that are very profitable for undoing vices and embracing virtues, along with many healthy admonitions; all, in effect, very much to the purpose of our Music: so that both singers and those who are not may be greatly benefited in Music, particularly in Human MusicA Boethian concept referring to the harmony of the human soul and body. and in morals. Finally, I can say that I also took care to insert some digressions, and some histories and fables, because there are many who know much about Music,

With a full hand. original: "Plena manu prou." A proverb meaning to give generously or abundantly.

but when in conversation with other people, they fall silent and serve only as listeners. This happens sometimes because they have not had time to read such things; other times, because it seems to them time not well spent; and even others, because they find it difficult to buy such books, or they lack the means to buy them: to these, then, I give here "full hands," for one who reads with care and diligence the first two parts, which are placed under the name of Ornaments and Curiosities in Music, will be able to appear without shame before very well-read Musicians, and even before all kinds of persons who pride themselves on knowing a little or a lot of letters; because for everyone, one can draw provision from them.

One cannot always satisfy everyone.

But because all these reasons are still not enough to convince many, who remain stubborn in their judgments and opinions, and it is not possible always to satisfy everyone, I will be content if some remain satisfied, who I trust in Our Lord will not be few: whom I pray and ask to remember to give thanks to the same Lord, author of all good things: and to beg Him to forgive me the faults that, through carelessness or ignorance, I may have committed in composing this treatise; because I know my little sufficiency, and I know that as a man, I may have erred in many things. And if there should be anything that does not agree with what the Catholic Church says, and what the excellent Masters in this profession teach, I give it as unsaid, and I immediately retract it; for not malice, but ignorance will be the cause of having said it.

The motive the Author had in making this first part. Chapter I.

Benefits of the Ornaments.

SINCE in the past preamble I have already spoken in some way of this work, I will endeavor in the present chapter to also pass over in brief the particular motive I had in making this first part entitled, Ornaments. I say then, as a beginning to this, that the great desire I have to see new Singers and Musicians accepted and well-liked by all, it seemed right to me to put before everything some warnings, documents, and moralities, with which (by using them) they will remove the occasions for people to mock and laugh at their "honorable beards" A Spanish idiom referring to one's dignity or status.: for they will know the manner they must maintain in the course of their works, talks, and conversations. Because these things teach you how to conduct yourself, they banish defects from you, and they guide you on the path of good breeding: they invite you to virtue; and they show you the way to achieve it; finally, they are good, safe, and certain warnings of the things that ought to be done, and of those that ought to be avoided; to the end that Singers may harmoniously coordinate the sweetness of the voice with the grace of gestures, and movements of the body, and with the manner of practicing. And also so that Composers may join in just proportion their concerted compositions with the sweet manner of conversing and conducting themselves. The motive I had for this was the consideration of that

Ignacio Pedro Joseph was born on the thirteenth of May, the day of Saint Peter Nolasco, in the year 1745. His godfather was Mr. Joseph Ignacio Martorell y Viudes, Priest?, performed on the 18th of said month.