Pierio Valeriano (1477-1558)
Danieli Barbaro.P.V. Ouum Dactylicum.
θεοκρατικῶς
Sacrā
Barbari
Thespiades
Cingite frontem
Floribus omnibus
OEbaliis, Paphiis,
Laurigerisque coronis.
Nam ferit hic bene Barbyton
Suauisonis modulaminibus:
Egregius adeò , vt data vobis
Huic rear aurea plectra sororibus:
Aoniumve dedit puero melos
Et citharā bonus addit Apollo,
Indole captus , & ingenio,
Hunc hederis igitur sacris
Cingite protinus almæ
Pierides nouum
Poëtam.
Pierio Valeriano, Hieroglyphica; [opuscula uaria] (Cologne: apud Ioannem Wilhemum Friessem, 1685), p. 123. My translation:
'To Daniel Barbaro, VenetianPatriarch: A Dactylic Egg (In a divine manner)'.
Thespiades, surround the barbarian’s sacred brow with all the flowers of Oebalia, Paphos and laurel-bearing crowns. For he strikes the barbiton well with sweet-sounding melodies. So eloquent, that I think golden picks were given to you by the sister Muses: Or good Apollo imparts Aeonian melodies and a lyre. Captive to genius and wit, surround this new poet, o nourishing Pierdes, with sacred ivy.
