Practica Musicae utriusque cantus, excellentis Franchini Gaffori Laudensis quatuor libris modulatissima

...our little work, which was otherwise rude and unrefined, you added spurs to me even while I was running with such liberality; and my study was not insignificantly inflamed, so that I might now safely approach the other part of this discipline for your judgment. For music does not vacate merely for speculation like other disciplines of mathematics; it goes out into action, and is joined to morality as has been said before. For I did not seem to have done enough for my duty if I stopped merely at investigation, thinking it to look only to the utility of a few, unless my industry also labored for the public progress. For this part of music is not only useful for its own knowledge, but having pushed its roots further, it also assists other studies, which is proven by the testimony of the most serious men, who professed that they had learned nothing else from music than letters. Fabius Quintilianus confirms this art as the most ancient of all in letters and study, with Timagenes as author. However, when I speak of Music, I do not understand this theatrical and effeminate music which corrupts public morals rather than informing them, but that modest and manly music celebrated by the ancient heroes, which, when brought to the banquets of kings and festive meals, circulated among the reclining guests and sang of the excellent deeds of the most famous men with the cithara; this was surely a great incentive to the studies of virtue. Truly, this also carries over to another: it is inscribed in the heavens, and it narrates the labors of the sun, and the wandering moon, and the Titanian stars by the testimony of the most famous seers; and as if not content to have filled the spaces of the lands with merits, it penetrates the heavens and is conjoined to the mysteries of divine things. This work, therefore, most observant Prince, I have dedicated to your name with the veneration I owe, as the latest offspring born to me—to use the words of Pliny the Second—and imprinted under your guidance and your auspices. To whom indeed should I refer my labors more fittingly than to him to whom not only all Italy but even the most remote nations are accustomed to refer the right and judgment, not only of their counsels but also of their deeds, as if to an honorary arbiter? Nor did I fear that this little gift of ours would come as a burden to you while you are engaged in the greatest matters, since I know you are accustomed to moderate the greatest things in such a way that you do not despise the least, and by the happiness of your genius you arrange everything so that it is carried out in an unoffending tenor. Although those things which look to the progress of studies are not held by you among the least. The magnificent gymnasia are testimony to this, of all disciplines indeed, but especially of Greek and Latin eloquence, which have been instituted by your greatest care throughout the cities of your Empire. For who else incites, protects, and fosters the talents of his own people with greater command of his fortune and strength toward virtue? Otherwise, as far as I am concerned, I do not demand that my writings be taken in comparison with great authors, nor that I be numbered among authoritative writers, to whose learning I refer whatever good may be in ours, which I have most willingly accepted; it suffices me if I strive to this point, that my industry be commended, so that I may be said to have consulted for the progress of students with concise and expeditious brevity, so that what would have to be sought scatteredly in the volumes of few might be found gathered in one work in a convenient order of things. For we have labored so that matters might begin from their principles and be carried through to the end in a series, lest the reader be led around in confusion in an otherwise difficult art, and labor more in the ineptitude of the writing than in the obscurity of the things. We only claim this for ourselves, and we judge that the commendation of our industry should be sought from this. Therefore, most humane Prince, our little gift will deserve to be received if it may rely on your clemency as you are accustomed to do with others, and at least on the preface of your name. It cannot boast of commendation by its own merit; it will obtain it by dedication. Since otherwise, as we refer all our goods, whether of fortune or of genius, to you, so we wish that whatever we have accomplished by study and industry be dedicated and consecrated to your name in all time.

Fabius Quintilianus