Steps to Parnassus (Gradus ad Parnassum)

...might reach the top. Neither the harshest haters of the School original: "Scholæ oſores." Here, "School" refers to the traditional, rigorous study of counterpoint and musical theory., nor the corruption of the times, deter me.

For medicine original: "medicina" is prepared for the sick and for those not enjoying good health. Although my labor does not aim so far, nor do I claim so much strength for myself, as to believe I could check the course of a torrent rushing headlong out of its banks, or recall Composers original: "Compoſitoreſque" from their licentious heresy original: "hæreſi." Fux uses religious language to describe the trend of ignoring musical rules. of writing back to their senses. As far as I am concerned, let everyone follow their own counsel. My purpose is to bring aid to the youth original: "adoleſcentibus" aspiring to this art, many of whom I have known—and still know—who are endowed with a wonderful talent and are burning with a supreme zeal for this discipline original: "diſciplinæ"; yet, being destitute of both money and a Teacher original: "Magiſtro", they are unable to quench their desire, which is like a long-standing and desperate thirst for excellence. For this reason, many years ago I began to search my mind, sparing no labor or study in finding an easy method original: "methodo facili", exactly like that by which a child is first taught to recognize letters, then to syllable, then to join several syllables, and finally to read and write; and not without good reason. For when I had observed, while using this method in giving lessons, that students made marvelous progress in this art in a short span of time, I thought I would bring no small help to this profession if I were not only to make this method public for the sake of studious youth, but also share whatever I have acquired through nearly thirty years of continuous practice while serving three August Emperors of the Romans original: "A. A. Romanorum Imperatoribus." Fux served under Leopold I, Joseph I, and Charles VI. (of which alone I may be allowed to boast) with the Repub—