ORIGINAL
VONDEL AAN ALLE DICHTERS*).
1630, Mei.
D’Amsterdamsche Academie Aen alle poéten en Dichters der Vereenigde Nederlanden. Liefhebbers van de goude vryheyt.
Apoll, op Helicon geseten, Vraeght al syn heilige Poéten: Wat beste en slimste tongen syn? Of waerheyt salich maeckt, of schyn? Of dwang van vrome Christen-sielen Niet streckt om Hollandt te vernielen?
Of vryheyt niet en was de schat Waerom men eerst in oorloogh tradt? Of oock in wel bestierde steden Een oproermaecker wort geleden? Of huyse-plondren vesten sticht? Of d’eedt geen burgery verplicht? En of sich leeraers niet verloopen, Wanneerse deesen bandt ontknoopen?
Wiens antwoordt kortst en bondichst is, En klaerst in dese duysternis, Dien sullen d’Academiheeren Met eenen Princenroemer eeren: Daer Pallas, met haer diamant, In sne den Veldheer van het landt, Die met ’s Hertogenbosch gaet strycken, Daer Maurits tweemael af most wycken. Yver.
D’Antwoorden moeten ingebracht worden Voor den eersten van Somermaendt, synde de dach onser verkiesinge, als Apollo te recht sal sitten, om den prijs te geven diense verdient.
TRANSLATION
VONDEL TO ALL POETS
May 1630
The Amsterdam Academy To all poets and writers of the United Netherlands. Lovers of golden freedom.
Apollo, seated on Helicon, Asks all his sacred poets: What are the best and worst tongues? Does truth bring happiness, or does appearance? Does the oppression of devout Christian souls Not aim to destroy Holland?
Was freedom not the treasure For which we first went to war? Or in well-governed cities, Is a troublemaker tolerated? Does looting homes build fortresses? Does the oath not bind citizens? And do teachers not stray When they break this bond?
Whose answer is the shortest and most concise, And clarifies this darkness, Will be honored by the Academy members With a princely toast: Where Pallas, with her diamond, In snow the Field Marshal of the land, Who goes to strike 's-Hertogenbosch, Where Maurice had to retreat twice. Zeal.
The answers must be submitted before the first of the summer month, being the day of our selection, when Apollo will sit in judgment to award the prize to the deserving one.
Metadata
- Sender: D’Amsterdamsche Academie
- Recipient: All poets and writers of the United Netherlands
- Subject: A poetic contest regarding the value of freedom and truth
- Send Date: 1630
- Location: Amsterdam
- Geolocation: 52.3676, 4.9041
- Language: nl
- Summary: The Amsterdam Academy invites all poets and writers of the United Netherlands to participate in a contest. The contest questions the value of freedom and truth, and the impact of religious coercion on Holland. The best and most concise answer will be honored with a prize. Submissions are due by the first of June.