PANEGYRIC

ON THE CAMP MEASUREMENT,

Described by Master S. STEVYN.

A large decorative woodcut initial letter 'V' features intricate floral scrollwork and foliate patterns, marking the beginning of the poem.

Renowned warriors in deed and ripe counsel,
Are observed everywhere throughout the world's circle
In the oldest of times; who, through the harm
Laudably inflicted on their enemies, subsequently obtained
The possession of City and Land: But none in time past
Has followed or brought to pass
That which Rome achieved, which was so greatly contested,
And which contested others, as much as can ever be imagined:
So that no people so fierce, nor any Cities so strong,
No Lands so rich, nor Princes so courageous,
Could prevail against them, but were as if trampled
By the wealthy Roman Empire, and the valiant Roman hand,
Through their good military conduct, and clever stratagems of War:
Of which the foremost is their wise Camp-measurement original: Leghermetingh, referring to castrametation, the art of surveying and laying out a military camp.,
Which they knew how to pitch so firmly and well at the moment of greatest need
With such speed, that no one before them
Nor after them shall obtain the prize, except for the high-born Lord,
The widely-renowned Prince MAURICE OF NASSAU Maurice of Orange (1567–1625), the Stadtholder and captain-general of the Dutch States Army, famous for his military reforms based on Roman models.,
Whose widely-famed Name, and accumulated Honor,
Resounds through the whole World, through his faithful service
Rendered to our Fatherland, through his skill in pitching
His firm Camp-site; so that they themselves were forced to flee,
Those who came against him with a great force of men
To strike his small Army, unexpectedly and in fear.
And so that also the diligence and great experience
Of this exalted Prince may be made more manifest,
Your STEVIN, as a Servant of wide renown,
Has clearly original: naectelijc, literally "nakedly," meaning plainly or without obfuscation. published this method in Print.