Janequin’s dedication to François Duke of Guise of the Premier livre des inventions musicale (Du Chemin, 1555)

A TRES ILLUSTRE ET TRES EXCELLENT PRINCE

Françoys de Lorraine, Duc de Guise

et Pair de France

Monseigneur, rememorant les singulières affections et bonne volonté que feu Monseigneur l’Illustre Cardinal de Lorraine votre oncle m’a portées, dont a jamais je me ressentiray, voulant laisser après moy tesmoignage de telle obligation, je m’estois préparé, si la mort ne l’eust prevenu, de luy dedier ce petit livret de chansons musicale, mais, m’ayant la mort tollu et osté ceste occasion, J’ay (Monseigneur) pris la hardiesse de le transferer en vous et le vous dedier, estant enrichi et decoré de ce qui est parti de vos vertus, grandeur et puissnace, rapporté de vos gestes du camp d’Allemaigne et Mets, dont j’ay dressé une bataille rapportée en chant et resonnance au plus pres qu j’ay peü de la vive vois, tant des parolles d’hommes pour l’ordonnance d’icelle, que sons de trompettes, clairons, bruit de canons, artilleries, et autres choses propres en assaux et bataille, que j’ay aussi intitulée bataille de Mets. Lequel livret (Monseigneur) il vous plaira reçevoir d’aussi bon coeur comme je le vous presente, vous suppliant que, comme j’estois tres humble servitur de feu mondit Seigneur l’Illustrissime Cardinal, je soye en pareil endroit aussi le votre tres humble, qui perpetuellement prira Dieu pour votre noble prospérité et santé. A Paris le 13 Juillet 1555.

Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant Chappellain

Clement JANEQUIN

***

TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND MOST EXCELLENT PRINCE

François de Lorraine, Duke of Guise

and Pair of France

Sire, remembering the singular affections and good will that your uncle, the departed and illustrious Cardinal of Lorraine, showed to me, which I will remember as long as I live, and wanting to give some testimony of the appreciation I felt, I was preparing to dedicate this musical booklet to his honor. Since his passing has taken from me this opportunity, with your permission Monsieur, I will be so bold as to transfer the dedication to you, to celebrate the virtue, grandeur and power that you have demonstrated, reported from the campaigns in Germany and Metz, from which I have constructed in song and resonance a battle which expresses as close as possible the actual sounds, including the battle cries and commands, the sounds of the trumpets and clairons, the noise of the canons and artillery and other sounds of charges and battle, which I have titled «The Battle of Metz». I beg you to accept this little book, Monsieur, in the same good spirit with which it is given, and as I was the humble servant of your departed uncle the illusrious Cardinal, I am in the same way your humble servant, who without cease prays for your prosperity and health. Paris, 13 July, 1555.

Your very humble and obedient chaplain

Clement Janequin