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

A poem by Lucinus Conagus

It pleases me, and I would wish to render worthy praises to you:
But who, Ludovico, shall carry them for your merits?
You give us golden and most happy ages, Prince:
No glory of leaders has been as great as this.
And though I may be silent about other monuments of your deeds,
Which surpass the conversations and faith of men,
When have the arts flourished so much in any age,
Or has Pallas been so friendly to talents?
We see Heroes, Euclids, and Pythagorases,
Born of Phoebus, and those who seek the high stars.
Nor are you lacking in Chrysippuses, and learned Solons,
And your ages give their hands to you as to Parrhasius.
And Music has emerged, torn from the Stygian seat through you,
Nor has it brought known modes itself.
Behold, Franchinus brings his wealth, his gifts,
From Pieria, than whom none flourishes more clearly in art.
Seek these, reader; you will see nothing that is not praiseworthy.
From this you learn to be exercised, and from that to speak.
Whatever you do, you will be able to know while singing from this book,
And you will be able to produce everything with the correct sound.
But you, if the author of the gift is pleasant to you,
Pour forth pious vows to the Lord on his behalf.