ABSTRACT
DE hujus templi structura & situ mira canerent Poëtae, quorum intentiones circa fabulas & figmenta assiduè versari solent; imò hoc subjectum multò avidiùs persequerentur, cùm ab eorum Deabus, nempe Musis, nomen suum Musica derivarit, prout in ejus Etymologia habetur. Veniam igitur ab illis peto, si poëtici furoris stimulo & inventione, quamvis non mensurâ in hujus templi descriptione me duci permittam. Templum igitur hoc Musicum in montis Parnassi, Musarum sedis, summitate fabrefactum imaginemur, ex omni parte nemoribus campísque sempiterna viriditate florescentibus, decoratum; & fontibus cristallinis suaviter huc atque illuc dimanantibus circumdatum; quorum murmure somnum placidum praetereuntibus saepè inducente, aviculae illas partes frequentantes, nemoráque incolentes basim sive fundamentum suis cantilenis acutioribus (quò magis symphonicè consonantias sonorum diversas effundant) diligenter supponere videntur, quarum melodiâ ipsae Nymphae circa templum, Satyri à Sylvano ducti per ejus nemora, Pastores (Pane eorum duce) per campos choreas ducere commoventur. Inter has igitur delitias divinum illud Apollinis donum instituitur, conservatur, imò & omnium animarum adoratione colitur; cujus omnes partes constituentes, paci & concordiae deditae, harmoniae & symphoniae mysteriis, coeli & elementorum concordantias includentibus, ita ad invicem alligantur, ut totum universum perire
[Frontispiece] [p. 160] [See Plate I.1]1
The poets, whose attentions are accustomed to be engaged constantly with fables and images, would sing about the structure and wonderful place of this temple. Indeed, they would pursue this subject more eagerly, for music has derived its name from their2 goddesses, that is, the Muses, as is considered according to its etymology. Hence, I beg their pardon, if – by the stirring and invention of the poetical furor3 – I, although without measure, permit myself to be led in the description of this temple. Let us therefore imagine this musical temple constructed on the top of Mount Parnassus, the seat of the Muses, and decorated in every part with eternally green and flowering woods and fields, and here and there sweetly surrounded by crystal fountains flowing diversely, whose murmur often induces a peaceful sleep in passers-by. The small birds, frequenting those parts and inhabiting the woods, seem to support the base or foundation diligently with their more piercing songs (wherefore they lavish different consonances of sound in greater harmony). By their melody, the Nymphs themselves around the temple, the Satyrs led by Sylvanus through his woods, and the shepherds through the fields by Pan, their leader, are all stirred to conduct round dances.4 Among these pleasures, therefore, the divine gift of Apollo is established, kept and indeed fostered by the adoration of all souls. All of its constituent parts – devoted to peace and concord by the
aut deficiant aut corrumpantur.
